Poland put one foot into World Cup finals

Robert Edwards (L) from Wales challenge for the ball with Kamil Kosowski from Poland during the World Cup 2006 qualifying match between Poland and Wales in Warsaw. Poland won 2-1.

Poland's Maciej Zurawski scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Wales which has almost certainly propelled them into next year's World Cup finals.

The Celtic striker slotted home a penalty in the 53rd minute which earned their second Group 6 victory in less than a week following Saturday's 3-2 result against Austria.

Poland are now almost certain to obtain at least one of the best runners-up spots which will be enough to go through to Germany 2006.

Wales did well before the break to keep the match scoreless but did not look likely to keep out the Poles for the whole 90 minutes.

Robert Earnshaw came into the Wales side for the suspended John Hartson in one of four changes from the 1-0 defeat against England at the weekend.

Rob Edwards won his ninth cap in place of full-back Richard Duffy and James Collins came in for Robert Page.

And in midfield, Jason Koumas got the nod in place of Carl Robinson.

Poland made just one change from the side which beat Austria with Mariusz Jop in at full-back for Tomasz Klos.

Zurawski almost scored after 25 minutes when Wales keeper Danny Coyne was not able to keep hold of his low shot, leaving Daniel Gabbidon to clear the danger.

The Wales goal was continually pounded and whenever Wales managed to get the ball upfield there was usually little pattern in their attacks.

They did well to keep the match scoreless at the break but it was not long before Poland went ahead.

Grzegorz Rasiak fed Zurawski as he ran into the Welsh box but Duffy brought him down and referee Claus Bo Larsen pointed to the spot. Zurawski fired in his spot kick straight down the middle to score the goal which will surely see Poland into their second successive World Cup finals.

Ryan Giggs was involved in most of Wales moves from then on but their attacks did not have the quality needed to worry Polish keeper Artur Boruc.