Robert Lewandowski scored his first ever World Cup objective as Poland snatched a win towards a wasteful Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
- Zielinski opened the scoring
- Szczesny made very important double save from penalty
- Lewandowski scored first WC objective
TELL ME MORE: Saudi Arabia began the match with a touching tribute to injured defender Yasser Alshahrani, earlier than dominating the early levels in a feisty first half. It was Poland who scored first, although, with Lewandowski placing it on a plate for Piotr Zielinski who fired residence from shut vary. A prolonged VAR examine gave Saudi Arabia the prospect to equalise from the spot on the stroke of half-time, however heroics from Wojciech Szczesny saved Poland’s lead intact. He first denied Salem Al-Dawsari – who appeared to take the ball out of Firas Al-Buraikan’s palms – earlier than spectacularly tipping Mohammed Al-Burayk’s follow-up over the bar.
ALSO OF NOTE: Saudi Arabia spurned a number of guilt-edged probabilities earlier than Poland doubled their lead, with Lewandowski capitalising on an error from Abdulelah Al Malki to attain his firstWorld Cup objective. The Poland ahead ought to maybe have had a second late on, however it will likely be Herve Renard who shall be questioning how his aspect did not choose up at the very least some extent.
THE MVP: Wojciech Szczesny. Whereas Lewandowski could get all of the plaudits, Szczesny‘s two saves in fast succession to disclaim Al-Dawsari and Al-Burayk have been pivotal. With Poland taking a shock lead and going through a raucous ambiance in Al Rayyan largely in help of the Saudis, Szczesny’s double save simply earlier than the break could not have come at a greater time. The veteran shot stopper was additionally at hand to disclaim Saudi Arabia at a number of factors within the second half, as Poland floor out a vital victory.
THE BIG LOSER: Salem Al-Dawsari. After his gorgeous strike towards Argentina secured a well-known victory for Saudi Arabia, it was considerably of a fall from grace for Al-Dawsari towards Poland. The winger was not solely absent for giant durations of the sport, however was responsible of lacking a number of alternatives, none extra important than the penalty on the stroke of half time. The miss was made even worse by Al-Dawsari seemingly calling rank and taking the ball from Al-Buraikan, who will assume twice earlier than permitting that to occur once more.
MATCH IN THREE PHOTOS:
Getty Photographs
AS IT STANDS:
WHAT NEXT? After choosing up very important factors towards Saudi Arabia, Poland face their hardest take a look at in Group C towards Argentina on matchday 3. The Saudis tackle Mexico on the identical day, needing a win to offer them one of the best likelihood of qualifying to the subsequent spherical.
MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐⭐