Barcelona striker, Robert Lewandowski’s first World Cup goal and Wojciech Szczesny’s superb double save from a penalty gave Poland a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia to send them top of Group C.
Saudi Arabia failed to follow up their shock opening victory against Argentina as they spurned multiple chances at the Education City Stadium to suffer defeat in their second game.
Piotr Zielinski gave Poland the lead in the 39th minute before Szczesny’s penalty heroics in first-half stoppage time as he first denied Salem Al-Dawsari from the spot and then saved Mohammed Al-Burayk’s rebound.
In a frenetic second half, Poland hit the woodwork twice while Szczesny denied Al-Dawsari again from close range.
But Poland’s victory was sealed in the 82nd minute as Lewandowski capitalised on Abdulellah Al-Malki’s mistake to score for the first time in the competition in his fifth World Cup game.
The win moved Poland to four points, one more than the Saudis, and left them needing a draw in their final game against Argentina next Wednesday to guarantee their spot in the knockouts.
Poland need just a draw against Argentina to qualify for the last 16, while Saudi Arabia can still progress to the knockout stages in their final match against Mexico.
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