QATAR: Robert Lewandowski’s first World Cup goal and Wojciech Szczesny’s stellar effort with the gloves gave Poland a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, sending them to the top of Group C.
The Green Falcons missed multiple chances at the Education City Stadium in their second game.
Poland propels on the victorious path
Poland took the lead in the 39th minute, thanks to Piotr Zielinski. Robert Lewandowski stopped a rebound from Mohammed Al-Burayk before denying Salem Al-Dawsari a goal from the spot in first-half stoppage time.
In a frantic second half of the game, Poland hit the woodwork two times while Szczesny denied Al-Dawsari again from short proximity.
Szczesny tipped over Mohamed Kanno’s 13th-minute shot from inside the box after Saudi Arabia went into the game with high confidence after pulling off one of the greatest upsets of the World Cup ever against Argentina.
However, a low cross from Matty Cash found Lewandowski, who sent the ball over the goalkeeper and pulled it back for Zielinski to score Poland’s second goal.
Four minutes later, Saudi Arabia received a penalty after a VAR review determined that Krystian Bielik had fouled Saleh Al-Shehri.
However, Al-Dawsari, the Saudi captain who scored the game-winning goal against Argentina, had a low spot kick saved by Szczesny, who then spectacularly blocked Al-Burayk’s subsequent shot.
Poland came close to doubling their lead in the second half. Arkadiusz Milik’s header bounced off the crossbar, while Lewandowski managed to find the post with his kick.
However, the Barcelona striker finally scored his first FIFA World Cup goal as he pounced on Al-Malki’s mistake to coolly slide home past Mohamed Al-Owais, eliciting emotional celebrations from the striker. Al-Malki had missed a penalty in Tuesday’s goalless draw with Mexico.
Saudi Arabia can still advance to the knockout stages in their final match against Mexico. At the same time, Poland needs only a draw in their last game on Wednesday against Argentina to qualify.
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