SAUDI ARABIA DENIED BY CLINICAL POLAND
He showed why he has been playing at the top level for so long and made the difference. Simply fantastic.
Poland’s Matty Cash hailing Poaland goalkeeper Szczesny
Poland, who drew 0-0 with Mexico in their opener, were more attacking in their approach after bringing Arkadiusz Milik in from the start
SAUDI Arabia failed to follow up their famous win over Argentina with another scalp as they unluckily lost 2-0 to Poland in Group C on Saturday, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his first World Cup goal.
Piotr Zielinski blasted into the roof of the net on 39 minutes after good work by FIFA world player of the year Lewandowski, who finally broke his duck at age 34 when he robbed Abdulelah Al Malki to slot home on 82 minutes.
The Saudis had a chance to hit back at 1-0 when Krystian Bielik was adjudged to have fouled Saleh Al Shehri in the box on video review.
But Wojciech Szczesny expertly saved Salem Al Dawsari’s spot-kick and got straight back up to somehow tip over Mohammed Al Burayk’s shot.
“You have to be efficient but we weren’t,” said Saudi coach Herve Renard. “But I am very proud of my players. We are not finished yet.”
Poland, who drew 0-0 with Mexico in their opener, were more attacking in their approach after bringing Arkadiusz Milik in from the start.
They dropped back in the second half but Milik did hit the bar with a diving header before Lewandowski struck the post.
The Saudis, who are seeking only a second qualification for the last 16 after 1994, battled hard and created several other good opportunities but were slowed down by a series of minor injuries in a niggling but enthralling game.
Szczesny also got in their way more than once, saving well with his knees from Al Dawsari in the second half.
Saudi Arabia could have become the first team in Qatar to secure their spot in the last 16 with a victory.
Bookmakers would have offered big odds on that before their surprise 2-1 triumph over Lionel Messi’s Argentina. In truth the Green Falcons were good value for at least a draw against Poland and will go into the final group game with Mexico on Wednesday with hope.
Poland have twice finished third at a men’s World Cup but have not been to the last 16 since 1986.
Their record scorer Lewandowski helped his side move closer to their dream after shrugging off his penalty miss against Mexico with a typically industrious display, which finally resulted in a goal at his second World Cup.
The emotion of the occasion clearly got to the Barcelona star, who had tears in his eyes.
“Now he has the goal and the assist, that says everything about him and his character,” Poland right back Matty Cash said before hailing his goalkeeper Szczesny too.
“He showed why he has been playing at the top level for so long and made the difference. Simply fantastic.”
Argentina face Mexico later on Saturday in the other group game, with next opponents Poland top on four points for now. Defeat would mean a shock elimination for much-fancied Argentina.