LECH Poznan's captain, Mikael Ishak, scored twice in the first half to help his team win 2-1 against Sigma Olomouc in the UEFA Conference League. This win helped Lech move up to 11th place in the league phase and secure a seeded play-off spot. Meanwhile, the hosts, Sigma Olomouc, who were ranked 24th, barely made it to the knockout rounds due to their goal difference.
Image - Lech Poznań X
Both teams were focused on making the top 24 in the league phase, so the match started cautiously.
In the first 30 minutes, the only real chance came when Taofeek Ismaheel shot wide of Jan Koutny's far post.
The game's first real chance led to the opening goal, though it was a controversial moment.
A Sigma defender fell after challenging for a high ball, which eventually reached Ishak on the left side of the box. Ishak controlled the ball with his first touch and then fired a powerful shot with his second, which flew over Koutny and into the net.
Sigma's problems worsened when Abdoulaye Sylla made a clumsy challenge, leading to a penalty.
Koutny saved the initial spot-kick from Luis Palma, but after VAR noticed encroachment, Ishak scored the retake to make it 2-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Ishak had another chance to score a hat-trick after Sylla fouled again, but Koutny guessed correctly and saved the penalty by diving to his right.
Just before the final whistle, Sigma's Jan Kral scored an 84th-minute header from a cross by Tihomir Kostadinov.
However, it was not enough to change the result. Sigma barely made the top 24, while Lech secured their place in the play-offs.