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Mohammed Al-Breik failed in the follow-up shot from close range by the outstanding Wojciech Szczęsny
Photo:
ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
Saudi Arabia missed the chance to qualify early for the World Cup round of 16 in Qatar.
After the surprise success at the start against Argentina, which was even honored with a national holiday in their own country, there was now a 0:2 (0:1) against Poland.
The goals were scored by Piotr Zieliński (39th minute) and Robert Lewandowski (82nd).
With a win, Saudi Arabia would certainly have been the first team to reach the round of 16.
The team is now in second place with three points, while Poland is the leader of the table with four points.
Mexico (one point) and Argentina (zero) will still play against each other in the evening (8 p.m., TV: ARD).
It was an intense game right from the start with the Saudis, who were keen on making passes and wanted to move forward quickly after winning the ball, and Poland, who were rather rough on their part.
After just 20 minutes, the Polish team already had three yellow cards and were lucky that Matty Cash didn't receive a yellow card for an extended elbow in a dogfight (20').
After a dangerous long-range shot by Mohamed Kanno (13') and a header from Poland's Krystian Bielik, which was blocked (26'), the first goal of the game came with the first real big chance: Robert Lewandowski found Cash's cross in the penalty area instead of completing it the superstar took the ball to the baseline and served it to Zieliński from there (39').
Szczęsny shows its class
Before half-time, a gracious decision by Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio gave Saudi Arabia an opportunity to equalise.
The Brazilian judged a contact by Bielik, who easily caught Saleh Al-Shehri on the heel in the Polish penalty area, as a foul in slow motion and pointed to the penalty spot (43').
The penalty kick became Poland keeper Wojciech Szczęsny's highlight: first the Juventus pro saved Salem Al-Dawsari's shot to the bottom left, then straightened up again in time to take the follow-up shot from Mohammed Al-Breik from close range to steer over the goal (45th).
Szczęsny again had to save the Poles from equalizing shortly after the restart when Al-Dawsari shot from four meters in the fray (55').
On the other hand, the Poles were also dangerous, Arkadiusz Milik headed on the crossbar (63rd).
Shortly thereafter, it was Lewandowski, who failed at the goal frame from five meters (66th).
Saudi Arabia didn't give up, Al-Dawsari tried from a distance, but the shot was no problem for Szczęsny (69').
Then came the last big opportunity for Saudi Arabia: Abdulelah Al-Malki took a low shot from behind and just missed the goal on the right.
Szczęsny would probably not have reached the ball.
Then came the 82nd minute and Al-Malki made a stopping error in front of his own goal – Lewandowski was ready and decided the game.
For the superstar it was the first goal at a World Cup.
mrk
