▲ Robert Lewandowski, who failed to match his World Cup finals score, not fitting Poland’s nickname of ‘goal machine’, was thrilled in the second half of the second match against Saudi Arabia in the Group stage C of the Qatar 2022 World Cup held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayjan on the 26th. After scoring the first goal, he lay down on the ground and was thrilled.
Al Rayyan Reuters Yonhap News
Robert Lewandowski (34, FC Barcelona), who had nothing to do with goals at the World Cup, finally scored his debut goal in the final. He can be a little embarrassing because he was scored by taking advantage of a mistake by the opposing defender, but the goal on his debut was clear.
Poland won 2-0 against Saudi Arabia in the second leg of Group C of the group stage of the Qatar 2022 World Cup held at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on the 26th. Poland, who drew the first goalless game against Mexico, he got 4 points with 1 win and 1 draw. If they win against Argentina, the last match of the group stage, they will advance to the last 16 on their own, and even if they draw or lose, there is still the possibility of progressing to the last 16. The last time Poland got through the group stage was at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Saudi Arabia, who caused a sensation by defeating champion candidate Argentina, failed to add points due to a painful defeat due to a lack of decisiveness and being caught flat-footed by their opponents’ counter-attack despite dominant play. Saudi Arabia are aiming to advance to the round of 16 once again via their final group stage match against Mexico on the 1st of next month. The last time Saudi Arabia reached the round of 16 was at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
Poland struggled with Saudi Arabia’s fast pace early in the match. In the first 15 minutes of the game, two defenders suffered from the opponent’s rough offensive enough to receive yellow cards. However, Poland did not miss the decisive opportunity that arose in a frustrating situation.
In the 39th minute of the first half, full-back Matty Cash pierced the right side and fired a cross to the ground, and Lewandowski, who was rushing into the center of the penalty area, failed to control him properly and rebounded him. Lewandowski held the ball until the end and spun from the goal line and stabbed it in the middle. Piotr Zielinski calmly connected with his right foot inside the penalty area and rattled the net. He also enjoyed the glory of scoring his first World Cup goal.
Poland escaped the biggest crisis in the 43rd minute of the first half. Inside the penalty area, defender Christian Bielik made contact with opposing team, Salikh Shahri and gave up a penalty kick after a video review (VAR). However, Salim Dausari’s powerful ground shot was blocked by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczeksny with a blast. Soon after, Muhammad Buryq connected the ball with a right footed shot, but the situation ended when he went over the goal.
Poland escaped danger again ten minutes into the second half when goalkeeper Szczesny parried his opponent’s shot after a scuffle in the penalty area. At the end of the match, Saudi Arabia threatened Poland’s goal even more fiercely. Saudi Arabia’s Abdul Illah Maliki fired a sharp left footed shot from the center of the penalty area in the 32nd minute of the second half, but flew slightly to the right of goal.
At this moment, Lewandowski’s wedge goal came out. He took the ball in the 37th minute of the second half when Maliki was careless and failed to adequately protect the ball, and finished it off with his left foot straight into a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper. Impressed, Lewandowski fell to the ground and burst into tears. Poland withstood Saudi Arabia’s aggressive attack well and took 3 points.
Senior reporter Lim Byung-seon
