By Karol Swiderski’s second-half winner consigned Wales to Nations League relegation after an underwhelming 1-0 home defeat in Cardiff.
The Charlotte FC striker – who also scored the winner in the reverse fixture in June – latched onto Robert Lewandowski’s deft flick to beat Wayne Hennessey 12 minutes after half-time and secure Poland’s own future in the League A of the Nations League for another cycle.
Wales named an attacking line-up, spearheaded by returning captain Gareth Bale, but rarely caused Wojciech Szczesny serious problems despite knowing only victory would be enough to see them leapfrog Poland and keep their place at the competition’s top table.
Dan James was twice denied in quick succession in their best chance of the opening 45 minutes before Brennan Johnson saw the Fulham loanee inadvertently deflect his goalbound effort wide.
Bale flicked a header against the bar in added time as Wales rallied late on, but it was too little, too late to avoid a return to League B after only one tournament in the Nations League top tier.
