How dangerous is the Barcelona striker who could shoot down Ireland's World Cup dream?
Ewa Pajor of Poland gestures during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers Play-offs Round 1 Second Leg between Poland and Belgium at Gdansk Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Gdansk, Poland. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)
Ireland's 12-0 aggregate cruise past Kazakhstan sets up a winner takes all World Cup playoff with Poland for a place in next year's finals in Brazil.
The Poles progressed after a penalty shootout win over Belgium, despite trailing 1-0 after the first leg.
Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor was their inspiration in Tuesday night's return, scoring twice as they won 3-2 to force the shootout.
Ironically, Pajor was the only Pole to miss from the spot, though they progressed 4-3.
That sets up a playoff first leg in Gdansk on December 1st, with the return in the Aviva Stadium on December 5th.
Ireland defeated Poland twice in April, 3-2 away and 1-0 at home, while the Poles sit seven places behind Ireland in the Fifa rankings. Though they did upset that order in eliminating the Belgians, who sit 20th, one place ahead of Ireland.
Poland will be aiming to reach a first World Cup finals and have Pajor as their standout threat, as Ireland's Denise O'Sullivan immediately warned after the win at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
“Poland have a world class striker in Ewa Pajor but we have great players. We're up for the challenge and will be fully ready in six weeks. Two more games and we’re going to Brazil.”
Pajor won the Women's Champions League this year with Barca, and was top scorer. She ranks seventh in the Women's Champions League's all-time top scorer list on 44 goals. She has also won two Spanish titles.
She was awarded the Gerd Müller Trophy for best female striker at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, having scored 43 goals in 45 matches across all competitions.
Before that, she's a five-time German Women's Bundesliga winner with Wolfsburg, where she scored 135 goals in 196 appearances.
She became Poland's all-time top scorer as long ago as 2022 and previously inspired the Poles to European U17 glory in 2013.
Poland coach Nina Patalon has described her as an inspiration. "Pajor is an incredible role model for young players in Poland; her journey from grassroots football to becoming a top striker at Barcelona is an inspiration.
"Many young girls who once hesitated to take up football now see it as a real career path."
While Barca coach Pere Romeu insists she's more than about goals: "She is a key player for us. She embodies hard work, team play and always putting the team before herself.
"I’m sure that if she could give away goals rather than score them, she would. She is fundamental to our football."
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