Robert Lewandowski had by no means scored on the World Cup and Guillermo Ochoa merely refuses to choose the soccer from his personal web when the largest match comes round. Subsequently it was no actual shock when the Mexican custodian saved the star striker’s penalty, the one actual try both of the groups had on aim, in a 0-0 draw of their Group C encounter at Stadium 974 on Tuesday.
The Poland-Mexico conflict skyrocketed in significance after Saudi Arabia took one have a look at the script and determined that their function on this World Cup wanted a rewrite or two.
The sport started precisely as one believed Poland would function. They have been content material when Mexico stored the ball, allowed them to remain on the flanks and waited for crosses to be dropped in from these areas or the Mexicans to chop in and take just a few pops at Wojciech Szczęsny’s aim.
Ochoa saves the day once more! 🇲🇽🧤@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022
It was nearly just like the golden alternative supplied to the Poles by Saudi Arabia hours earlier was recognized to everybody however them.
Mexico, on their half, have been all about width. Their flanks have been overloaded they usually continuously stored switching the ball. Nonetheless, there was some dissatisfaction in direction of their strategy from a smattering of their very own supporters who needed slightly extra direct fashion to the Mexican assault and might be heard groaning when a go went sideways or again. The primary half-hour of the sport handed with no actual probabilities created by each groups however Mexico undoubtedly being the higher of the 2 sides.
The Central People continued to develop into the sport. They pressed frantically in the event that they misplaced the ball within the ultimate third of the pitch, by no means letting Poland achieve time and area when in possession. However when the Mexicans received the ball, their ultimate ball was all that was lacking because the half got here to an in depth with the rating nonetheless firmly lodged at 0-0.
Massive miss
Poland have turn out to be masters of grinding out wins. They’re recognized to sit down and wait till a second of alternative beckons. That second introduced itself within the fifty fifth minute. Hector Moreno pulled Robert Lewandoski within the field and whereas initially not seen by the referee, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system put issues into Chris Beath’s fingers. It took just a few seconds however the verdict was a penalty to Poland and a yellow card to Hector.
Up stepped Lewandowski. By no means having celebrated a aim on the World Cup however now with the very best alternative that might ever drop into his lap. Going through him was one more legend in Ochoa. The Mexican goalie, who gained cult standing when he made eight saves towards Germany on the 2018 World Cup, now needed to cease one other monster in Lewandowski. And Ochoa did simply that, diving low to his left and placing a robust palm in entrance of a weak shot to make the Polish striker’s anticipate a World Cup aim lengthen additional.
For a staff that hardly appeared like they have been attempting, that was the golden alternative that the Poles let slip from their fingers. They common no different actual probabilities, nor did they ever seem to be a real risk to the Mexicans.
Mexico, on their half, managed the sport with their relentless press and vitality shifting ahead. However their efforts have been hardly ever rewarded and an insistence on enjoying by means of the flanks allowed any and all alternatives to be swiftly extinguished by the Poles, who had congregated in the course of the park. A draw was a good end result for each however not many would have complained if Mexico had taken the honours. Each groups took one level apiece and have primarily given Argentina the reprieve they have been hoping for. Saudi Arabia, in the meantime, prime the group with three factors after the primary spherical of group matches.