World Cup 2022: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia – Robert Lewandowski scores first World Cup goal in crucial victory

Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal as Poland earned a crucial victory over Saudi Arabia that leaves Group C broad open.

Lewandowski, who missed a penalty in Tuesday’s goalless draw with Mexico, was visibly emotional after ending a run of 4 World Cup video games with out discovering the online.

Piotr Zielinski had given Poland a first-half lead from Lewandowski’s cutback, however Saudi Arabia have been awarded a penalty 5 minutes later for Krystian Bielik’s foul on Saleh Al Shehri.

Wojciech Szczesny saved out Salem Al Dawsari’s effort earlier than producing a sensational one-handed cease to stop Mohammed Al Burayk from burying the rebound.

Saud Abdulhamid was denied by Szczesny and Al Brikan shot over the bar in the second half, whereas Arkadiusz Milik and Lewandowski have been each denied by the woodwork as Poland sought to double their lead on the counter-assault.

Lewandowski’s late strike ended Saudi Arabia’s hopes of constructing on Tuesday’s remarkable victory over Argentina and boosts Poland’s possibilities of reaching the final 16 for the first time since 1986, after they have been crushed 4-0 by Brazil in the first knockout spherical.

Czeslaw Michniewicz’s group want only one level in opposition to Argentina on Wednesday to qualify from Group C, whereas Saudi Arabia face Mexico for a spot in the final 16.

Wasteful Saudi Arabia rue missed alternatives

Lewandowski will steal the headlines after breaking his World Cup duck, however Saudi Arabia will probably be bitterly annoyed to not have preserved their unbeaten begin to the match in Qatar after discovering Szczesny in impressed kind.

Backed by a fervent and partisan crowd inside Education City Stadium, Saudi Arabia utilized heavy early strain and have been denied an excellent opener when the previous Arsenal goalkeeper palmed Mohammed Kanno’s ferocious drive over the crossbar.

Poland appeared more and more rattled because the Green Falcons continued to swarm ahead in waves, however Bielik’s goal-certain header was cleared to security by Al Shehri earlier than Zielinski gave them the lead with their first shot heading in the right direction.

Bielik’s problem on Al Shehri shortly earlier than half-time initially went unpunished by referee Wilton Sampaio, however the Brazilian confirmed no hesitation in pointing to the spot after reviewing the incident on his pitchside monitor.

If Szczesny’s save from Al Dawsari’s spot-kick was spectacular, his fingertip cease from Al Burayk’s observe-up effort was spectacular – and can take some beating at this World Cup.

There was little change to the sample of play in the second half, with Szczesny saving on the ft of Abdulhamid and Al Brikan sending a fierce, left-footed shot over the bar.

But Poland remained a menace on the counter-assault as Milik steered a strong header in opposition to the crossbar, earlier than Lewandowski’s close to-publish flick additionally got here again off the woodwork.

It was Al Malki’s heavy contact that finally proved decisive, ending Saudi Arabia’s hopes of changing into the first group in Qatar to clinch a final 16 berth.

Lewandowski may have doubled his and Poland’s tally in stoppage time, however Al Owais saved out the striker’s effort with a powerful hand.

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