World Cup Group C just won’t quit as Wojciech Szczesny’s brilliant day led Poland to a 2-0 win over game Saudi Arabia on Saturday in Al Rayyan.
Piotr Zielinski had staked Poland to a lead when Szczesny saved Salem Al-Dawsari’s penalty and Mohammed Al Burayk’s bid at the rebound. Robert Lewandowski’s 82nd-minute goal salted away the win.
WATCH POLAND v SAUDI ARABIA FULL MATCH REPLAY
Szczesny finished the day with five saves and Poland’s knockout round hopes are alive heading into a final day fight with Argentina.
The Saudis upset of Argentina on the first matchday keeps them in line for a knockout berth ahead of a scrap with Mexico, who plays Argentina at 2pm ET Saturday after drawing Mexico 0-0.
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Green Falcons for real but ex-Arsenal star Szczesny has his day
By all accounts, Saudi Arabia should’ve taken at least a point from this game. The Green Falcons might’ve deserved all three and it felt like the stadium was sold out to Saudi fans as they piled forward looking to add Poland to Argentina on their win list.
Unfortunately for the Saudis, Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was having none of it.
Szczesny added five saves to the four he made against Mexico to stretch his clean sheet run to two matches, and he was also aided by some big defender blocks and some near-misses from the Saudis.
Robert Lewandowski assisted Piotr Zielinski’s goal and then single-handedly delivered the Eagles their insurance marker with a turnover and finish past Mohammed Al Owais.
For Lewandowski, who had never scored at a World Cup, and Szczesny, who allowed five goals in two 2018 World Cup starts, this was pretty redemptive stuff.
Stars of the show
Wojciech Szczesny
Mohamed Kanno
Robert Lewandowski
Saud Abdulhamid
Piotr Zielinski
Piotr Zielinski goal video: Poland takes the lead
🇵🇱 ¡EL PRIMER GOL DE POLONIA EN CATAR! ⚽️
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 26, 2022
🔥 Zielinski la manda al fondo, asistencia de Lewandowski… ¡Ya lo ganan los polacos!#POL 1-0 #KSA#ElMundialLoEsTodo #POLvsKSA pic.twitter.com/9aIlIxVfsf
Wojciech Szczesny penalty save video
🧤 ¡EL HÉROE SZCZESNY!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 26, 2022
😎 El arquero de Polonia ataja en dos oportunidades y evita el empate de Arabia Saudí. #POL 1-0 #KSA#ElMundialLoEsTodo #POLvsKSA pic.twitter.com/0Drl82lapZ
Robert Lewandowski goal video: Turnover salts away win
Robert Lewandowski capitalizes on Saudi Arabia's error to put #POL up 2-0 late! 💥
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 26, 2022
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/UrD2gCI3fr
How to watch Poland vs Saudi Arabia live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8am ET, Saturday (November 26)Stadium: Education City Stadium, Al RayyanTV channels en Español: TelemundoStreaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)
Key storylines, players to watch closely
On the one hand, beating Lionel Messi and Argentina is an incredible result that will go down in history as one of, if not the, biggest upsets in World Cup history. That should be cherished forever, and it will be. But, at the same time, one can’t help but wonder how many more times they can win by scoring two goals from two shots on target (three in total).
📋⎪Line-up
— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) November 26, 2022
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 🆚 Poland 🇵🇱
#GreenFalcons pic.twitter.com/PWWiYguima
As for Poland, a frustrating opening draw with Mexico was made all the more so by the fact that Saudi Arabia, the presumed cellar dwellers of Group C, had already taken three points from their most difficult fixture. Both Poland and Mexico needed a victory to feel comfortable with both the group leaders and the group giants still to come. Frankowski and Milik both come into the Poland starting lineup as they look to take the game to Saudi Arabia.
📌 SKŁAD
— Łączy nas piłka (@LaczyNasPilka) November 26, 2022
Tak zagramy z Arabią Saudyjską!
_________#POLKSA 🇵🇱🇸🇦 #KierunekKatar pic.twitter.com/24ZAGeZLh5
Poland quick facts
Current FIFA world ranking: 26
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 8
How they qualified: Qualified from UEFA via playoffs, Path B
Coach: Czeslaw Michniewicz
Key players: Robert Lewandowski, Wojciech Szczesny, Piotr Zielinski
Saudi Arabia quick facts
Current FIFA world ranking: 51
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 5
How they qualified: Qualified automatically from AFC (Won Group B)
Coach: Herve Renard
Key players: Salem Al-Dawsari, Fahad Al-Muwallad, Mohammed Al-Owais