The striker was on course as his crew gained for the primary time in Qatar
Robert Lewandowski was on the scoresheet for the primary time in a World Cup match because the ahead helped Poland to a 2-Zero win in opposition to Saudi Arabia in Qatar on Saturday.
Lewandowski struck within the 82nd minute of the match at Training Metropolis Stadium, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to fit the ball previous Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais.
One of the prolific forwards of his era, the 34-year-old Lewandowski had not beforehand made his mark in 4 appearances on the World Cup finals – together with three video games on the Russia 2018 event.
The purpose was his 77th in 136 appearances in Polish nationwide crew colours, matching the mark set by Pele for Brazil and shifting Lewandowski into joint 10th place on the all-time males’s worldwide checklist.
Poland had taken the lead by Piotr Zielinski within the first half following sensible work from Lewandowski, who saved the ball alive on the purpose line earlier than feeding it again to Zielinski to drive it in from simply exterior the six-yard field.
After their sensational opening sport win in opposition to Argentina, the Saudis continued to provide an excellent account of themselves and spurned a golden probability to go in stage on the break after they had been awarded a penalty after Saleh Al Shehri was introduced down within the field.
A VAR verify confirmed contact from Krystian Bielik, however striker Salem Al Dawsari’s spot kick was saved by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who brilliantly parried a rebound effort from Mohammed Al Burayk over the crossbar.
Marshaled by the charismatic Herve Renard on the touchline, the Saudis continued to press within the second half, however had been lucky to flee when Poland twice hit the woodwork – first when Arkadiusz Milik rattled the crossbar with a header, after which when Lewandowski directed an effort onto the put up.
However the Poland captain did make it two along with his strike contained in the final 10 minutes – and the Barcelona ahead might have added to his whole had been it not for a save from Al Owais when one-on-one.
The win is Poland’s first in Qatar, and follows their Zero-Zero opening draw with Mexico – a match wherein Lewandowski had missed a penalty.
The Poles have 4 factors from two matches in Group C, with the Saudis remaining on three factors.
Afterward Saturday, Lionel Messi and Argentina will purpose to atone for his or her opening sport shock after they play Mexico on the Lusail Stadium.
The ultimate spherical of Group C matches takes place on Wednesday, when Saudi Arabia play Mexico and Poland meet Argentina.