World Cup 2022: Robert Lewandowski misses a penalty in Poland's 0

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Robert Lewandowski after his missed penalty

Photo: Glyn Kirk / AFP

The Polish national team started the World Cup in Qatar with a draw.

Poland were the losing team in the 0-0 draw with Mexico, but were awarded a penalty after a foul on Robert Lewandowski.

The superstar tried it himself, but Mexico's keeper Guillermo Ochoa parried (58').

The draw put Mexico and Poland in second place in Group C, tied on points, behind Saudi Arabia, who had won sensationally 2-1 (0-1) against Argentina in the morning.

Both teams didn't succeed very well on the ground, so they each tried it with high balls.

This resulted in a mutually uncontrolled game with few highlights.

Only the Mexicans provided for worth seeing actions.

A cross from Hirving Lozano flew too sharply into the penalty area (5'), shortly afterwards a header from Héctor Moreno went a little too high (12').

Alexis Vega with a header (26th) and Jesús Gallardo (28th) also became dangerous.

Poland, on the other hand, played with a five-man chain in defense and formed very cautiously when Mexico had possession of the ball.

However, the Mexicans were unable to take advantage of the offer to take charge of the game.

At half-time they had just one shot on the Polish goal, Poland had none at all.

Lewandowski misses the chance to score the winning goal

Then the second half began - and Poland got a great chance to make it 1-0 when Lewandowski was knocked down by Moreno in a fight for the ball.

According to slow motion, referee Christopher Beath decided on a penalty.

Lewandowski stepped up himself and aimed for the lower right corner - but Ochoa jumped in time and saved Mexico from going behind (58').

For Lewandowski it was the first missed penalty in the national jersey in twelve years.

Ochoa has enjoyed an iconic status in Mexico since its brilliant performances at the 2014 World Cup in South Africa, when Mexico reached the round of 16 thanks in part to their outstanding saves in the group stage against Brazil.

Ochoa was voted Man of the Match both against Brazil and in the round of 16.

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