Poland's Euro 2020 exit 'hard to accept' for Lewandowski

SAINT PETERSBURG:

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski said it was tough to accept his team's group stage elimination at Euro 2020 on Wednesday following a dramatic 3-2 loss to Sweden.

Needing a victory to reach the last 16, Poland came from two goals down to equalise as Lewandowski scored twice in the Group E game in Saint Petersburg.

But Viktor Claesson's 94th-minute winner extinguished Polish hopes and condemned Paulo Sousa's side to a group stage exit, the same fate the country suffered at the 2018 World Cup.

"Of course it hurts. To be out of this tournament is a big loss for us. It's going to be hard to accept," Lewandowski told Polish state broadcaster TVP.

"You can't say we didn't have fighting spirit, ambition or determination. But there was something missing, the ability to win this match to keep on playing.

"But congratulations to the lads for trying, for battling. It wasn't enough."

Emil Forsberg struck twice, the first coming after just 81 seconds, but Robert Lewandowski's double gave Poland hope of qualifying before Claesson's late goal sent Sweden through as group winners.

Sweden will likely play Ukraine in the last 16 after pipping Spain to first place, with Slovakia exiting alongside Poland following a crushing 5-0 defeat in Seville.

"It's a great to win the group like at the 2018 World Cup. We'll have a bit more time to rest than if we'd finished second or third," said Sweden coach Janne Andersson.

"We should have kept the 2-0 lead for longer but Lewandowski scored a fantastic goal. It was a great feeling at the end. The players are warriors and their sense of sacrifice deserves praise."