Earlier than kick-off, Hervé Renard denied that the federal government of Saudi Arabia had gifted his gamers a Rolls Royce in recognition of their efficiency in beating Argentina final week. The Inexperienced Falcons’ French supervisor reminded everybody that his aspect had but to qualify for the group stage and, a lot to the dismay of the collective Saudi assist gathered in Doha, Robert Lewandowski reveled in extending the factors earlier than promptly bursting into tears.
Poland’s document goalscorer not solely ultimately registered his first World Cup purpose however arrange Piotr Zielinski’s opener as Renard’s initially dominant aspect missed a penalty and ultimately bumped into the sand.
“I am happy with my gamers,” stated Renard, whose hopes of guiding Saudi to the knockout stage for the primary time since 1994 hinge on the results of their ultimate Group C match in opposition to Mexico. “However we weren’t efficient and Poland are robust. They’ve three nice gamers in Wojciech Szczesny, Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski. Congratulations to Lewandowski on his first World Cup purpose … however we’re nonetheless alive.”
The Guardian’s reporting goes far past what occurs on the pitch. Assist our investigative journalism at present.
“,”picture”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/13fe42413e819fcefe460ac92e24955d42f3dcf6/0_132_6496_3898/6496.jpg?width=620&high quality&55&32″132_6496 : Tom Jenkins”,”pillar”:2}”>
Fast information
Qatar: past soccer
Present
It is a World Cup like no different. For the previous 12 years, the Guardian has reported on the problems surrounding Qatar 2022, from corruption and human rights abuses to the therapy of migrant employees and discriminatory legal guidelines. The very best of our journalism is introduced collectively on our devoted Qatar: Past the Soccer web site for many who wish to delve deeper into the problems past the pitch.
The Guardian’s reporting goes far past what occurs on the pitch. Assist our investigative journalism at present.
“Lewangoalski” was suitably delighted. “I all the time needed to attain in a World Cup and my dream got here true,” he stated. “I used to be so emotional. I can affirm they have been tears of pleasure. Because the captain of Poland, I’m so completely satisfied for our crew.
Barely two minutes into the sport, he grimaced after being left limping after a full-blooded, tone-setting Saudi problem. It was cheered by a packed home in Schooling Metropolis, the place the overwhelming Saudi crowd turned the stadium right into a sea of inexperienced. Poland’s gamers have been booed like pantomime villains each time they touched the ball.
The ambiance labored as a tailwind for Renard’s spirited aspect and it took a wonderful save from Szczesny to get a shot over the bar from the spectacular Mohammed Kanno. With out exception, half a yard off the tempo at this level, Poland risked being inundated by wave upon wave of Saudi assaults and it spoke volumes that three of Czeslaw Michniewicz’s gamers have been cautioned within the twentieth minute.
Lewandowski was so hungry for service that he dropped deeper and deeper in pursuit of the ball and at one level was seen within the right-back place. That each one modified when Aston Villa’s Matty Money, Michniewicz’s correct right-back, overlapped, and though Lewandowski was unable to regulate Money’s ultimate cross in the way in which he had hoped, he brilliantly broke it in opposition to Zielinski.
When Zielinski’s gorgeous first volley flew excessive into the web, the Poland captain smiled for the primary time. His pout quickly returned, nonetheless, when Krystian Bielik caught Saleh al-Shehri’s ankle within the space and a comfortable penalty was awarded following a VAR assessment. Salem al-Dawsari’s poor purpose kick was parried low by Szczesny, and the previous Arsenal goalkeeper then carried out acrobatic wonders to by some means tip Mohammed al-Burayk’s follow-up over the bar.
Szczesny’s double save was up there with the best goalkeeping interventions seen on the World Cup. By now it was darkish in Doha and Renard desperately wanted one in every of his gamers to show the lights again on for his aspect.
However Poland’s again 4 – Michniewicz had switched from his extra acquainted defensive trio particularly for this match – held agency. Certainly, they’d have elevated their benefit however for a header from Arkadiusz Milik and a shot from Lewandowski, who by this level joined the attacking ranks for Poland and hit the crossbar.
Saudi Arabia had misplaced its earlier form, construction and sharpness and was visibly tiring. Renard’s usually hyperactive efforts on the sidelines left his white shirt drenched in sweat as he watched his substitutes fail to provide the specified impact.
When Abdulellah al-Malki’s heavy, clearly drained, contact allowed the customarily deceptively nameless however ever-perky Lewandowski to grab the ball from his toe, it was sport up for the Inexperienced Falcons. After curling a low left-footed shot below the goalkeeper for his 77th worldwide purpose, the Barcelona ahead was overcome with emotion and engulfed by teammates, ultimately rising to blow a kiss to the gang. The consequence leaves each side with all the pieces to play for
“I hope our followers will not hand over on us,” Renard stated, worrying that the momentum could be waning from his crew. “My message is please proceed to assist us and assist Saudi Arabia make historical past.”
#Robert #Lewandowski #scores #World #Cup #purpose #Poland #beat #Saudi #Arabia