Lech Poznań draw 1-1 with Sunderland in the Europa League

Lech Poznań have won their first point in this season's Europa League. On Thursday 22 October 2026 the Polish champions hosted England's Sunderland and drew 1-1 in matchday 3 of the league phase.

How the match went

The Premier League visitors took the lead as early as the 2nd minute. Lech equalised shortly after the hour mark. According to Sportowe Fakty's report, the Poznań side later had another excellent chance to go ahead.

It was a clearly better performance from Lech than in their previous matches in the competition. They began with 4-0 defeats to Crystal Palace and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a goal difference of 0-8. Thanks to the draw, the team left the bottom of the table.

Before this game Sunderland had two wins: 1-0 against AZ Alkmaar and 2-1 against Torreense.

Comment from a former Lech player

Bartosz Bosacki, a former Lech defender, Polish champion with the club and 20-time Poland international, assessed the match for WP SportoweFakty.pl. In his view Lech could have scored several goals, but could just as easily have lost.

Bosacki pointed to a lack of concentration for the goal conceded. Such things, he said, should not happen at this level in the 2nd minute. He also admitted candidly that Sunderland played better, especially physically, in midfield and in build-up play. He praised the visitors' tactics, as they packed the midfield. He was critical of Lech, saying they made too many mistakes.

Even so, Bosacki urges calm. "I wouldn't wring my hands, I'd just keep fighting," he said. He added that he hopes Lech will go further than the end of the first phase of the competition in January. He called the draw a point that should be respected.

What next

Lech are still in the fight to avoid going out of European competition as early as this winter. The source does not give the date or opponent of the next match, or the current league-phase position.