Lechia Gdańsk defeated Motor Lublin 3–2 away from home and secured three extremely valuable points. A brace from Camilo Mena and a goal by Tomasz Neugebauer gave the White-and-Greens their seventh consecutive league match without defeat and their first win over Motor since 2008.
Sunday’s clash in wintry Lublin was crucial for the league standings. Before kick-off, both teams were level on 24 points and sat next to each other in the table. Lechia entered the match without their top scorer Tomáš Bobček, who was suspended due to yellow cards, with Dawid Kurminowski taking his place in the starting line-up.
Lechia’s first good opportunity came as early as the 5th minute, when a defensive error by Motor could have led to a goal, but the move ended without a shot. In the 8th minute, Rifet Kapić set up Camilo Mena, whose first-time effort flew over the bar. Three minutes later the hosts took the lead – after a cross from the right and a headed clearance by Matej Rodin, Bartosz Wolski picked up the loose ball and beat Alex Paulsen with a low shot.
Lechia responded quickly. In the 16th minute Ivan Brkić saved Rodin’s initial attempt, but Camilo Mena reacted fastest to the rebound and levelled the score. After a lively opening, the tempo slowed and play shifted mainly to midfield. In the 30th minute Ivan Zhelizko tried his luck from distance, but Brkić reacted instinctively. Five minutes later Alex Paulsen produced an excellent save following a dangerous header from Karol Czubak.
Motor’s missed chance proved costly in the 37th minute. A precise cross from the left by Matus Vojtko was met by Tomasz Neugebauer, who headed the ball inside the post to give Lechia the lead. The score remained unchanged until half-time despite the hosts’ attempts to equalise.
Advantage maintained after the break
The second half, however, started unfavourably for the visitors. In the 47th minute, after a cut-back from Ivo Rodrigues near the byline, the ball deflected off Matej Rodin and went into Lechia’s net for an own goal. The following minutes were scrappy, with few clear chances. The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when Matej Rodin was fouled inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. A minute later Camilo Mena confidently converted the penalty straight down the middle to restore Lechia’s lead and complete his brace.
In the 79th minute the Gdańsk side came close to extending their advantage after a counter-attack, but Ivan Brkić won a one-on-one with Bohdan Viunnyk. Moments later the Motor goalkeeper again kept his team in the game with saves from Aleksandar Cirković and Kacper Sezonienko. The closing stages belonged to John Carver’s men, who controlled possession and limited the hosts’ opportunities.
Lechia ultimately secured a 3–2 victory in Lublin, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches and ending a long winless streak against Motor.
Motor Lublin – Lechia Gdańsk 2–3 (1–2)
Goals:
1:0 Wolski 12’
1:1 Mena 16’
1:2 Neugebauer 37’
2:2 Rodin 47’ (own goal)
2:3 Mena 73’ (pen.)
Motor Lublin: Brkić – Stolarski (72’ Wójcik), Bartos (72’ Najemski), Matthys, Luberecki – Samper (85’ Łabojko), Wolski (85’ Dadasov), Rodrigues – Ndiaye, Ronaldo (72’ Król) – Czubak
Lechia Gdańsk: Paulsen – Wójtowicz, Pllana, Rodin, Vojtko – Mena, Zhelizko, Kapić, Neugebauer (82’ Sezonienko), Cirković (86’ Diaczuk) – Kurminowski (78’ Viunnyk)