Jorginho Penalty Saves Italy In UEFA Nations League Opener Against Poland
Jorginho converted a 78th-minute penalty as a stuttering Italy earned a 1-1 Nations League draw at home to Poland.
The visitors, beginning life under new boss Jerzy Brzeczek after an underwhelming group-stage exit at the World Cup, went in front five minutes before half-time through Piotr Zielinski.
Jorginho was clumsily dispossessed and his old Napoli team-mate Zielinski benefited – volleying home Robert Lewandowski’s cross at the back post.
Lewandowski could not re-adjust to convert Jakub Blaszczykowski’s cross early in the second half, in which half-time substitute Giacomo Bonaventura provided a bright point for Italy.
The Milan midfielder was thwarted by Fabianski at close quarters before sending a drive whistling just wide.
It was another substitute, Federico Chiesa, who won the spot-kick for the equaliser.
Blaszczykowski appeared to get a decent chunk of the ball but, given he was already booked and slid in from behind, the Wolfsburg winger was perhaps fortunate to watch Jorginho’s conversion from on the field.