Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski’s goals on Saturday prevented Saudi Arabia from advancing a game early, increasing Poland’s prospects of making it to the World Cup’s round of 16 for the first time since 1986.
Lewandowski’s goal eight minutes from time put Poland ahead of Saudi Arabia, while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s incredible double save from a penalty in first-half stoppage time kept Poland in the game against a Saudi team that was always attacking.
Poland now only needs a point from their last Group C match against Mexico in order to secure their place in the next round.
The missed penalty by Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored the game-winning goal in Saudi Arabia’s historic triumph over Argentina on Tuesday, will leave them feeling bitter. Saudi Arabia was the better team in the first half and benefited from a few favorable officiating decisions.
