Victor Lindelof addresses Robert Lewandowski challenge ahead of Sweden vs Poland

Manchester United centre-back Victor Lindelof is relishing the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Robert Lewandowski when Sweden face Poland in a winner-takes-all battle for a place at the 2022 World Cup this evening.

Sweden booked their place in the Path B play-off final with a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Czech Republic on Thursday night, courtesy of an extra-time winner from Robin Quaison. They will now face Poland in Chorzow for a place at the finals in Qatar.

Poland were awarded a bye to the play-off final after being scheduled to face Russia. Russia were banned from fulfilling the fixture due to sanctions imposed on them by FIFA after their invasion of Ukraine last month.

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It means that the Poles, who finished as runners-up to England in their respective qualifying group, are just one game away from the finals without having had to overcome a semi-final. Both nations featured at the 2018 tournament after missing out in 2010 and 2014 and will be desperate to secure a second consecutive appearance.

But if Sweden are to qualify for Qatar, they will have to deal with the threat of Poland star Lewandowski. But for Lindelof, who is set to be tasked with containing the Bayern Munich star, it is a challenge he is looking forward to.

"What can I say? He's a fantastic player," Lindelof told FIFA.com. "He's been performing at the highest level for a number of years now.

"The amount of goals he scores, and the chances he creates, he's a top, top player. I have huge respect and admiration for him. It's going to be a really tough fight, but these are the challenges you most look forward to. It's going to be fun."

Altho