KS Cracovia beat Widzew Łódź 1-0 on matchday 5 of the Ekstraklasa. The victory was notable for goals disallowed by VAR, moments of high tension, and the eagerly awaited debut of Mateusz Klich in front of thousands of viewers.

KS Cracovia secures narrow victory over Widzew

KS Cracovia secured its third victory of the 2025/26 season after beating Widzew Łódź 1-0 in a thrilling match that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. The match, corresponding to the 5th round of the Ekstraklasa, was marked by key VAR decisions that disallowed two goals, creating tension throughout much of the match.

Klich's debut and strategic changes

The home team made some significant changes before the match: Mateusz Klich returned to Cracovia after 14 years. Klich entered the field in the 90th minute, receiving a standing ovation from the fans.

From the start, Cracovia had to adapt to the absence of Ajdin Hasic due to injury. In goal, Sebastian Madejski replaced Henrich Ravas, and Mateusz Praszelik made his debut as a starter on offense.

A first half marked by VAR

Cracovia's first goal was disallowed in the 17th minute after a VAR review for offside by Filip Stojilković. Despite pressure from the visitors, Cracovia remained solid in defense and looked for opportunities in a controlled manner.

Minczew's goal breaks the tie

In the second half, Cracovia woke up offensively. Martin Minczew scored the decisive goal after a pass from Otar Kakabadze, establishing the final score of 1-0. Widzew tried to react, but the home defense and Madejski secured the victory.

Final result and season overview

With this result, Cracovia reaches 10 points and remains at the top of the table, while Widzew suffers its first defeat in five games. The performance of the defense, Klich's debut, and the influence of VAR were decisive factors in a match that stood out for its intensity and moments of uncertainty.