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Cracovia beat Wieczysta 3-2 with 94th-minute derby winner

Cracovia defeated local rivals Wieczysta Krakow 3-2 in Ekstraklasa as a 94th-minute goal decided the first top-flight Krakow derby in four years.

Cracovia beat Wieczysta 3-2 with 94th-minute derby winner

Cracovia defeated local rivals Wieczysta Krakow 3-2 after a 94th-minute goal snatched victory in the first top-flight Krakow derby in four years.

The hosts came back twice at Kałuży Street before a late ball into the box from Hasić was dummied by substitute Kamil Glik, allowing it to curl past goalkeeper Mikułko into the far corner of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The dramatic finish concluded a fiery encounter between the two Krakow clubs, which was temporarily halted in the first half when supporters set off pyrotechnics in the stands.

Early pressure and pyrotechnics delay

Cracovia threatened early in the fifth minute when Klich delivered a cross into the penalty area, but Kameri headed his effort over the crossbar.

Wieczysta gradually took control of the opening stages. Pusić whipped a dangerous delivery into the Pasy box in the eighth minute, though Piazon was unable to connect cleanly to turn it toward goal.

Play was interrupted shortly afterward for nearly ten minutes after pyrotechnics were ignited by fans, forcing referee Szymon Marciniak to pause the match until the 18th minute.

Upon the resumption, Wieczysta continued to dictate the tempo. A neat exchange between Piazon and Mras in the 24th minute set up Vojtko, whose first-time shot was blocked by the Cracovia defence.

Opening goals before the break

Wieczysta opened the scoring in the 26th minute under head coach Kazimierz Moskal. Dankowski floated a corner kick toward the far post, where Piazon headed the ball back into the path of Wieteska to finish from close range.

Cracovia almost responded immediately two minutes later. Klich slipped a pass through to American striker Zahiroleslam, but Mikułko produced a brilliant save from just two meters out to preserve Wieczysta's lead.

The home side finally found an equalizer in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Klich delivered another accurate cross into the penalty area, which Perković converted to send the teams into the break tied at 1-1 following ten added minutes.

Penalty drama and second half comeback

Cracovia started the second half on the attack, with Kameri sending Zahiroleslam through on goal in the 48th minute before Wieteska intervened to cut off the threat.

Wieczysta restored their advantage seven minutes later through a defensive mistake. Maigaard crossed toward the far post, where Klich misjudged his challenge and kicked Dankowski as the player jumped for a header.

Referee Marciniak awarded a penalty, and Semedo stepped up to send Cracovia goalkeeper Madejski the wrong way in the 55th minute to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

Cracovia introduced Belgian striker Berte off the bench, who immediately energized the hosts with a powerful shot that forced another impressive save from Mikułko.

Wieczysta sought to extend their lead on the counter-attack after Maigaard shot wide from distance in the 71st minute and Berte had a 76th-minute effort blocked at the other end, but Vojtko could not direct Lederman's cross home.

Late equalization and VAR confusion

Cracovia pulled level for a second time in the 81st minute. Following a pass from Piła, Hasić displayed composure inside the penalty box, shifting past his marker and driving a low shot into the bottom far corner for 2-2.

Chaos erupted in the 86th minute when referee Marciniak received a communication from the VAR room. The home crowd at Kałuży Street erupted in celebration believing a penalty had been awarded, but the official ultimately ordered play to resume with a goal kick.

Both teams traded chances in the dying moments of stoppage time. Wieczysta's Lungoyi overlapped and set up Vojtko for a cross that Lederman failed to direct on target, before Cracovia midfielder Praszelik dragged a low shot just wide of the post.

The decisive moment arrived in the 94th minute when Hasić curled a ball into the box, Glik let it run through, and the ball found the far post to seal a memorable 3-2 victory for Cracovia.

Local rivalry in Ekstraklasa

The fixture marked the return of the Krakow derby to Ekstraklasa, Poland's top football division, after a four-year absence.

Krakow football fans will see unprecedented local derby action throughout the 2026/27 Ekstraklasa campaign, with three clubs from the city competing in the top flight.

Wieczysta, who earned promotion to Ekstraklasa as newcomers this season, face another derby next week when they take on Wisła Krakow, while Cracovia travel to face Radomiak in their next league fixture.

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