The 2024/25 Ekstraklasa season kicked off with a major surprise: Cracovia defeated reigning champions Lech Poznań 4-1 in their own stadium. It was an unforgettable night for Luka Elsner, who couldn’t have wished for a better debut as head coach in Poland’s top flight.

The match started with a bang. Just two minutes in, Filip Stojilković, one of Cracovia’s new signings, struck first with a quick counterattack. Not only did he open the scoring, but he later provided a crucial assist, proving he’s ready to make an impact.

The home crowd responded more from the stands than the pitch. Lech Poznań supporters lit flares and chanted loudly, causing a brief match suspension due to low visibility. But neither the delay nor the passionate atmosphere could change the course of the game.

The incredible brace from Ajdin Hasić in the Ekstraklasa opener

The true star of the match was Bosnian forward Ajdin Hasić, who delivered a brilliant performance. He extended the lead in the 25th minute with a well-placed shot after a team play, then returned in the second half to score again in the 52nd minute, making it 1–3 and crushing the champions' hopes of a comeback.

With this brace, Hasić has now scored in four consecutive league matches—all wins for Cracovia—cementing his status as one of the league’s in-form players.

A nightmare for Lech, a statement win for Cracovia

Before halftime, Mikael Ishak pulled one back for Lech with a penalty after a VAR review for a handball in the box. But that was as close as the hosts would get.

The final blow came from Georgi Minchev in the 60th minute, who fired a strong shot from the edge of the area to seal a 4–1 victory. A shocking result for the defending champions, who begin their title defense in the worst way possible.

In contrast, Cracovia walks away with three points, a dominant attacking display, and a strong statement of intent. If they maintain this level, they could become one of the standout teams this season.