Polish champions Lech Poznan and Jagiellonia Bialystok took massive steps toward securing places in the UEFA Europa League main phase after dominant qualifying victories on Thursday.
Lech Poznan routed Swiss champions FC Thun 6-0, scoring five times before halftime, while Jagiellonia Bialystok built a commanding 4-0 victory over Georgian club Iberia.
Lech blew FC Thun away with five first-half goals in Poznan. Patrik Walemark opened the scoring before Ali Sayyadmanesh added a second, followed by Walemark's second strike of the evening, a goal from Bartosz Skrzypczak, and an effort from Radoslaw Murawski. The Polish champions added a sixth goal shortly after the restart to complete an overwhelming win.
The clinical performance left no doubt about the outcome, contrasting with earlier anxiety among supporters following Lech's display in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League against Danish club Aarhus GF.
Jagiellonia build comfortable four-goal lead
In Bialystok, Jagiellonia took control against Iberia, who entered the tie as the least renowned opponent facing any Polish club at this qualifying stage. Jesus Imaz converted a penalty after a foul on Agbonifo, before Agbonifo scored himself just before halftime to put Jagiellonia 2-0 ahead.
An absurd own goal in the 62nd minute increased Jagiellonia's lead to 3-0, and Lozano added a fourth goal late in injury time.
Zbigniew Boniek makes early prediction
With Jagiellonia leading 3-0 and Lech up 4-0 during the first half, former Polish Football Association president Zbigniew Boniek posted an early prediction on social media.
Boniek wrote on Twitter that he apologized for wanting to be first, declaring that Poland already had two teams in the Europa League and adding that time would tell what would come of it.
Reaching the autumn league phase of the UEFA Europa League, Europe's second-tier club competition, has been out of reach for Polish teams since the 2023-24 season, when Rakow Czestochowa last competed in the group stage.
Conference League action for Polish clubs
Thursday's European action also featured two other Polish clubs competing in UEFA Conference League qualifying ties. Gornik Zabrze faced French side AS Monaco, while Rakow Czestochowa traveled to Croatia to face Hajduk Split.
