Lewandowski breaks the dream of Saudi Arabia

Lewandowski breaks the dream of Saudi Arabia

The FC Barcelona striker and Zielinski give Poland their first victory in Qatar and the top of Group C

MADRID, 26 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Polish national team signed its first victory in the World Cup in Qatar this Saturday by beating Saudi Arabia (2-0) with goals from Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski, who made his debut as a scorer in the World Cup, all in a match with which the Europeans are leaders in Group C waiting for what happens in Argentina-Mexico.

Czeslaw Michniewicz's men withstood the thrust of the 'Green Hawks' in a first half in which they managed to take the lead with a goal from Zielinski and in which Wojciech Szczesny saved a penalty against the Saudis near half-time. With less than ten minutes to go, an emotional Lewandowski was in charge of tying the victory.

After the 'sorpasso' to the albiceleste, Hervé Renard's men did not speculate at Education City either, where they pressured the Polish ball out from very early on with a devilish pace that was about to offer them the first advantages.

Several arrivals in the area warned Wojciech Szczesny, who had to act for the first time after 12 minutes with a providential hand shot from Mohamed Kanno, who before half an hour destroyed the first chance for the European team, taking a ball almost under the posts after shot by Kamil Glik.

Little by little, the intensity waned and that's when Poland struck; In a counterattack directed by Matty Cash, the Aston Villa defender put a cross into the heart of the area that fell into the boots of Robert Lewandowski, who gave the ball to Piotr Zielinski to score his first goal in the World Cup (min .39).

Saudi Arabia had the opportunity to recover on the brink of half-time, when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Glik inside the area. Salem Aldawsari stood up to eleven meters, but Szczesny guessed his shot and, on the rebound, also avoided Alburayk's goal.

The Asian team continued to insist on the restart, even enjoying two clear chances in the first quarter of an hour of the second half. Frankowski responded by sending a ball over the bar, and Lewandowski also found the post in another good Polish chance in the 67th minute.

The FC Barcelona forward was able to find a goal shortly after, in minute 82, in a play in which he caused Almalki's mistake to stand up to Alowais and beat him with a low shot. Between tears and the emotion of his teammates, he celebrated his first goal in the World Cup, with which he also certified Poland's first victory in this edition.

--RESULT: POLAND, 2 - SAUDI ARABIA, 0 (1-0, at halftime).

POLONIA: Szczesny; Bereszynski, Kiwior, Glik; Cash, Zielinski (Kaminski, min.63), Krychowiak, Bielik, Frankowski; Milik (Friday, min.71) and Lewandowski.

ARABIA SAUDÍ: Aloes; Abdulhamid, Alamri, Alburayk (Alghannam, min. 65), Albulayhi; Almalki (Alobud, min.85), Kanno, Albrikan, Alnaji (Al Abid, min.46; Bahbri, min.95), S.Aldawsari; y Alshehri (N.Aldawsari, min.85).

1-0, min. 39: Zielinski.

2-0, min.82: Lewandowski.

--REFEREE: Wilton Sampaio (BRA). He admonished Kiwior (min.15), Cash (min.16) and Milik (min.19) for Poland and Almalki (min.20) and Alamri (min.45 4) for Saudi Arabia.

--ESTADIO: Education City.