Qatar 2022: Poland And Australia Revive World Cup Hopes

Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji

Poland defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 as they look to advance from the FIFA World Cup group stage for the first time in 36 years.

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Robert Lewandowski’s goal and assist against the run of play proved crucial as well as Wojciech Szczesny’s double save from the penalty spot.

Saudi Arabia started the game on the front foot as they started where they stopped during their 2-1 win over Argentina in its group opener.

However, it was Poland who took the lead against the run of play, as the Saudi Arabian high line was exploited after some brilliant work from Lewandowski allowed him to find Piotr Zielinski who fired into the roof of the net.

Poland’s lead was in danger moments later when Krystian Bielik clumsily fouled Salah Al Shehri in the box to give the Green Falcons a penalty.

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The forward stepped up himself only to see his penalty saved by Szczesny before the goalkeeper also saved his rebound.

Despite the Green Falcons’ dominance, Poland went close to grabbing the second goal as Arkadiusz Milik and Lewandowski rattled the crossbar.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, Poland struck the killer blow when the Saudis tried to play the ball out from the back.
Lewandowski intercepted and placed the ball beyond helpless Mohammed Al Owais in a one-on-one situation.

Poland moved to the top of Group C with four points, a point ahead of Saudi Arabia ahead of Argentina’s game with Mexico.

Meanwhile…

Australia ended a 12-year wait for a World Cup win after Mitchell Duke’s sublime first-half header guided his country to a narrow 1-0 victory over Tunisia in Group D.

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While chances were few and far between, the Socceroos managed to find a breakthrough in the 23rd minute when Craig Goodwin’s deflected shot found Mitchell Duke who accurately steered a header past Aymen Dahmen.

Australia will now turn its attention to Wednesday’s final group game against Denmark with three points while Tunisia are on the brink of World Cup exit as they face the daunting prospect of meeting defending Champions, France.

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Oluwaseun Oyediji

I am a huge advocate of Women’s football after covering the Nigeria Women Football Leagues (NWFL) since 2019. An unbiased football writer with penchant for women’s in sports and historical analysis.

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