Wisła beat Cracovia 2:1 as the Kraków derby returns after four years

The Kraków derby is back in the Ekstraklasa (Poland's top football league), and it did not disappoint. Wisła Kraków beat Cracovia 2:1, extending their perfect home record. Cracovia's coach may now be eyeing the exit.

What happened? ⚽

The stadium was sold out, fans unveiled a giant card display covering half the stands, and fireworks went off from the roof before kick-off.

In the 9th minute Marc Carbo shot from just outside the box. The ball deflected twice on its way and flew into the net. A centimetre either way and it would have vanished in a forest of legs.

Then Carbo went from hero to culprit. He fouled Otar Kakabadze, and referee Szymon Marciniak first showed the Georgian a yellow card for diving. After checking VAR (video review), he changed his mind and gave a penalty. Wisła goalkeeper Marcel Łubik saved Ajdin Hasić's shot, but Hasić smashed in the rebound. It was 1:1 in the 20th minute.

Flares from Cracovia fans and then Wisła fans stopped play twice, and the game lost its rhythm. Marciniak added 12 minutes to the first half, and Wisła came out on top of the pinball-style chaos. The match ended with a big row.

Why was this derby such a big deal?

The two sides had not met in the league for more than four years. The last game was a 0:0 on 1 May 2022. Two weeks later Wisła were relegated to the second tier.

This was the 85th league derby, and almost nobody from that last match is still around. Wisła have no one left from that squad list, and Cracovia only have Karol Knap and Kakabadze.

The coaches had their own stories too. Wisła's Mariusz Jop is remembered for an own goal in the 94th minute of a 2009/10 derby. It made it 1:1 and cost Wisła top spot to Lech Poznań, who went on to win the title.

Cracovia's Bartosz Grzelak came under pressure. His side were 13th, only 3 points above the relegation zone, after two straight defeats.

What's next?

Wisła have won every home game this season and collected 18 points at home. That is more than Cracovia have managed in total (12).

Cracovia now face the international break with a coach whose job looks shaky. It is a convenient moment for a change, if the club wants one.