Poland and Slovakia locked horns in the first of two Group E showdowns, with Spain vs Sweden being the latter tie. Given that La Furia Roja are seen as the favorites to win the group, it's a toss between the three other nations as to who will finish as runners-up and secure automatic qualification to the last 16.
Biało-czerwoni, led by Robert Lewandowski, looked to kick start their Euro 2020 campaign with a victory, but after only 18 minutes of play, they found themselves 1-0 down after conceding from an unlikely player: Wojciech Szczesny.
Yes, Poland went a goal down after conceding an own goal. After receiving the ball, Slovak winger Róbert Mak managed to turn and dribble past two opposition players thanks to a brilliant solo run before getting a shot off, which resulted in Szczesny's near-post error.
Thanks to that blunder, the Juventus shot-stopper wrote his name in the history books, but for all the wrong reasons, becoming the first goalkeeper in European Championship history to score an own goal. Watch the unlucky moment in the videos below (geo-restrictions apply).
Róbert Mak danced down the wing for this goal! pic.twitter.com/eevCZf42vA
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 14, 2021
Slovakia take the lead
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2021
Fancy footwork from Róbert Mak forces an error from Wojciech Szczęsny to hand his side the lead over Poland.
Stream live: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 #EURO2020 | #POL | #SVK pic.twitter.com/VhgZEyO6I2
Fans flocked to Twitter to share their thoughts on the 31-year-old's error, with many pointing out the fact that the only two players who have scored own goals so far in the tournament are from Juventus – Szczesny vs Slovakia and Demiral vs Italy on the opening day. Check out the best tweet below.
1 - Poland's Wojciech Szczesny is the first goalkeeper to score an own-goal in European Championships history. Oops. #EURO2020 #POL #SVK pic.twitter.com/UKBfO0cTxN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 14, 2021
Szczesny is the FIRST goalkeeper to make an own goal in the EUROs history
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) June 14, 2021
via Opta pic.twitter.com/w6qUJwfwE5
Demiral OG, Szczesny OG...Juventus players are having a great tournament so far!
— Lef. (@Greco1897_) June 14, 2021
Arsenal fans seeing Szczesny getting beaten at his near post pic.twitter.com/6ftajQONRE
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) June 14, 2021
It has officially gone down as a Wojciech Szczesny own goal.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 14, 2021
You can take the man out of Arsenal, but you can't take the Arsenal out of the man.
Lewandowski and Co. managed to equalize straight after the break thanks to a goal from Karol Linetty. However, things were made complicated by Krychowiak's sending off in the 62nd minute, with Poland going on to lose the game 2-1 as a result.