The smoke-bombs billowed around the Legia Stadium and the fanatically tannoy announcer roared and screamed for his countrymen throughout, but brave, battling Wales produced a magnificent performance.
The true men of courage were at the back, where Andy Melville, Chris Coleman and Robert Page were outstanding. In midfield skipper Gary Speed alongside John Robinson and Robbie Savage ran themselves into the ground, while Ryan Giggs was a constant threat with his clever, controlled running.
Coming after Saturday's home draw with Norway - who surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to Ukraine while Belarus were beating Armenia - this is a great boost to Wales.
Wales unashamedly set themselves for a cagey, defensive game, looking to slow the match down and keep possession by spinning the ball around between their defenders for as much as possible.
Poland had been unsettled before the game by the loss of their star striker Emmanuel Olisadebe. The Polonia star, rated at £10 million and being trailed by a string of Italian and Spanish clubs, picked up a rib injury on Saturday in the win over Belarus.
Hughes decided to stick with the same XI that drew with Norway. Savage got himself booked after 27 minutes for a moment of stupidity and it will cost him a suspension for the next match in Armenia.
He had been clattered twice by Piotr Swierczewski, and when it happened a third time the Leicester man stood over the fallen Pole and explained a few home truths before flicking his hand across the back of the Bastia player's head. Players have gone off for less, but Portuguese referee Lucilio Batista only produced a yellow card.
The second half opened with Melville booked for dissent and John Hartson was next in the book for tripping Tomasz Waldoch as the big defender went past him.
Olisadebe was sent on as Wales took off Hartson and bolstered the midfield with Matthew Jones as they fought doggedly to hold on in the closing stages.
Poland: Dudek, Klos, Zielinski, M Zewlakov, Waldoch, Krzynowek (Rzasa 70), Swierczewski, Karwan, Juskowiak (Olizadebe 74), Kaluzny, Gilewicz (Kryszalowicz 55). Subs Not Used: Matysek, Hajto, Iwan, Zdebel.
Wales: P Jones, Delaney, Page, Melville, C Coleman, Savage, J Robinson, Hartson (M Jones 74), Blake, Speed, Giggs. Subs Not Used: G Roberts, Symons, Barnard, C Robinson, Freestone. Booked: Savage, Melville, Hartson.
Referee: L Batista (Portugal).
