Widzew Łódź vs Stal Rzeszów

The match was played in extreme heat and reduced to 2x40-minute halves. Widzew started brightly and Andi Zeqiri rattled the crossbar in the 15th minute. Stal created early chances of their own — Jonathan Junior fired wide after a slick move, and Bartłomiej Drągowski saved Filip Wolski's effort — but Widzew took control midway through the first half.

In the 26th minute, Mariusz Fornalczyk drove into the box from the left and was fouled by Mateusz Leniart. Zeqiri stepped up and converted the penalty with a Panenka-style chip to make it 1-0 in the 28th minute.

Widzew rotated almost their entire XI at half-time, with Jan Krzywański replacing Drągowski in goal and Bergier entering the action up front. The second half brought three more goals in a devastating 11-minute spell.

Fran Álvarez's free-kick from the left flank found Bergier in the 74th minute, and the striker swept a low finish into the net to make it 2-0. Two minutes later, Stal defender Oliwier Madej handled in the box and Bergier sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards for 3-0.

In the 85th minute (stoppage time of the shortened second half), Mateusz Żyro was brought down by Marcin Kaczor while attempting to shoot. Bergier completed his hat-trick from the spot, his third penalty conversion of the match.

Bergier's introduction at half-time changed the dynamic entirely. Within 29 minutes of the second half, he had scored three goals — one from open play and two penalties — turning a narrow 1-0 lead into a 4-0 rout. Stal Rzeszów were unable to cope with his movement and physical presence after the restart.

Sebastian Bergier (Widzew Łódź) — The striker scored a hat-trick in 11 minutes (74', 77', 85'), his first two goals from a free-kick delivery and a penalty before sealing his treble with another spot-kick. Also hit the crossbar moments after his second goal. Man of the match.

Andi Zeqiri (Widzew Łódź) — Opened the scoring with a chipped penalty in the 28th minute, hit the crossbar earlier, and was a persistent threat before being substituted at half-time.

Fran Álvarez (Widzew Łódź) — Introduced at half-time, his pinpoint free-kick set up Bergier's first goal and he continued to pull the strings from midfield.

Mariusz Fornalczyk (Widzew Łódź) — Won the first-half penalty with a driving run and was a livewire down the left flank in both halves.

The provider data records four goals from 10 shots on target (estimated), with all three penalties coming in the second half. Widzew's dominance is reflected in the scoreline: they led at half-time despite Stal Rzeszów creating a couple of early openings. The three penalties — for a foul by Leniart, a handball by Madej, and a foul by Kaczor on Żyro — tell the story of a Stal defence that struggled to stay disciplined against quicker Widzew attacking runs.

The match was played over 80 minutes (2x40) rather than the standard 90, a decision forced by extreme heat that affected both teams' conditioning work in the opening friendly.

Both sides opened their pre-season programmes with this fixture. Widzew Łódź — who compete in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa — will continue their preparation with friendlies against Dunajská Streda (4 July), New England Revolution, Mattersburg SV, Grosuplje and Puszcza Niepołomice before starting the 2026/27 league season at home to Motor Lublin on 26 July.

Stal Rzeszów, who finished 13th in Betclic 1 Liga last season, are rebuilding under coach Marek Zub. Three new signings — Wojciech Machura, Marco Thiede and Marcin Listkowski — made their debuts in this match. Stal's pre-season schedule continues with further friendlies across July.

A professional, one-sided workout for Widzew Łódź against lower-tier opposition. Bergier's second-half treble underlined his status as the club's primary goalscoring weapon. Stal Rzeszów showed flashes in the first half but were undone by individual errors and a penalty-heavy second period. The 4-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the gap between the two sides.