Saudi Arabia entered Match 22 with a boosted confidence after having pulled off a fairytale win over former world champs Argentina in their opening bout, shocking the entire football community. Now they were to face Poland, who drew their first match against Mexico and needed a desperate win to stand any chance to make it to the round of 16. The match eventually saw Poland take down the Saudi boys 2-0 as Piotr Zielinski scored the opening goal for Poland in the 39th-minute, Robert Lewandowski first-ever World Cup goal to double the lead in the 82nd-minute.
The first-half got underway, with both teams trying to get an early goal, and its an end-to-end battle right away. Just 12 minutes into the first half, Krychowiak has a potential chance to create a score for Poland, but Kanno rushes across the pitch to take him down. Kanno himself then surged forward into the Polish half and made a sublime attempt to score the opening goal but Szczesny made a fine save at the other end.
A string of yellow cards follow as the game gets a bit physical. The first yellow comes when Cash (Poland) takes down Al Dawsari. The next yellow card is issued to Saudi Arabia as Al Malki commits a foul. About 30 minutes into the first half, Zielinski curls in a good corner from the right, which finds Bielik who heads it to the goal but it gets cleared off the line by Al-Shehri. The 39th minute saw Poland get their opening goal as Lewandowski intercepted a Saudi pass and squares it to Zielinski. The latter then swiftly got past the Saudi goalkeeper. Poland takes a 1-0 lead.
10 minutes of extra time added, and Saud Arabia now have a chance to equalize when they are awarded a penalty following a foul by Bielek on Al-Shehri. Szczesny walks forward to take the kick. His first attempt was saved by the Polish goalkeepers, which rebounded back to him and he sent it over the crossbar. Saudi Arabia has wasted a golden opportunity to equalize, which could be very costly in the end. The referee calls for half-time as Poland lead 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Zielinski, due to Lewandowski’s assist.
As the second-half gets underway, Poland continue to keep ball possession to ensure Saudi Arabia don’t get a chance to equalize. Meanwhile they keep playing safe, looking for opportunities to score another one and double their lead. Saudi Arabia however do manae to sneak in with a big opening in the 56th minute. Total chaos ensues in the Polish box as Al Dawsari takes a fine close range shot but does well Szczesny to save it. 64 minutes in, Milik manages to connect a fine cross from the left flank with diving header, which hits the crossbar.
80 minutes are up and Saudi Arabia are desperately looking to equalize. 83 minutes in, Poland get their second goal as Al Malki loses the ball to Lewandowski at the edge of the Saudi box, who quickly sent it past the goalkeeper. Poland did not double up against Saudi Arabia with the match nearing its end. 8 minutes of extra time added, which saw one final dash of adrenaline by Saudi Arabia to at least score one goal as Kanno fired at the Polish goal at 96 minutes, but was cleared away. The referee signals the end of the second half with the full time scorecard reading 2-0 in favor of Poland.
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