Wojciech Szczesny produced wonderful double save to preserve advantage.Robert Lewandowski claimed first World Cup goal to wrap up points.
A big win for Poland! 🇵🇱
🎥 Watch the highlights from their win over Saudi Arabia over on FIFA+
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2022
Midfielder Piotr Zielinski netted in the opening half and an emotional game and Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal to settle an absorbing, see-sawing encounter at Education City Stadium – and enable Poland to leapfrog surprise package Saudi Arabia in an intriguing Group C table.
Zielinski struck against the run of play on 39 minutes and Wojciech Szczesny brilliantly denied the Saudis a prompt equaliser when the keeper repelled a penalty from Salem Al-Dawsari, before producing a wonderful stop to deny Mohammed Al-Burayk on the follow up. Lewandowski capitalised on a defensive lapse to roll in Poland’s second goal with eight minutes remaining. The 34-year-old was visibly moved after adding a World Cup strike to an enviable list of club and individual honours.
Szczesny tipped over Mohamed Kanno’s rising drive as Herve Renard’s team picked up where they left off in their astonishing victory over Argentina on Tuesday. But Zielinski briefly silenced the Saudi din when he struck Poland’s first goal of the tournament. Matty Cash sprang on to a return pass down the right to square for Lewandowski. He couldn’t create an opening to shoot but had the presence of mind to turn back a pass for Napoli’s Zielinski, who finished into the roof of the net.
Saudi Arabia were awarded a penalty late in the opening half when a VAR check detected Krystian Bielik’s nibble at the calves of Saleh Al-Shehri. Al-Dawsari supplied the gorgeous strike to defeat Argentina but, here, his contact was tame, allowing Szczesny to save. Al-Burayk was incredulous when the goalkeeper denied his rebound effort.
Szczesny celebrated a block to deny Al-Dawsari 10 minutes after the restart and Feras Al-Brikan and Al-Shehri both thrashed off target from good positions. It wasn’t all one-way traffic, however, and shortly after Arkadiusz Milik headed flush against the bar, Lewandowski struck the upright with an untidy effort.
The Barcelona forward wouldn’t be frustrated for long. Abdulelah Al-Malki’s heavy touch invited Lewandowski to run through and finish and he gratefully accepted. It was his 77th goal for Poland but first from five World Cup matches and, perhaps, the only one to move Lewandowski to tears. Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais stayed tall to deny Lewandowski a second but for jubilant Poland and their star striker, the job was done.
Robert Lewandowski scored the 2,600th goal in FIFA World Cup history.
Player of the Match:Robert Lewandowski.
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