If the World Cup day had opened with a shock in Group C as Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina, the second match between Mexico and Poland brought back some more familiar sights, like Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa choosing once again the world stage to shine and Robert Lewandowski failing to show the best version of himself.
The game ended 0-0, the second goalless draw in a row in the Qatari tournament as Ochoa saved a penalty from the Barcelona striker and Juventus keeper Wojciech Szczesny kept Poland afloat with a fine save from an Henry Martin header.
Overall, it was a lackluster show at the Stadium 974 in Doha as Mexico showed something more but lacked concreteness in the final third while the Polish side, studded with Serie A players and betrayed by their talisman Lewandowski, seemed happy with sharing the spoils especially after missing from the spot their only real chance.
Napoli’s Hirving Lozano tried to set the match on fire after five minutes but Alexis Vega failed to tap the ball in from his right side cross. It was Vega again to come close to open the scoring with a header on 26 minutes that went a few inches too wide. Jorge Sanchez tried to surprise Szczesny from a narrow angle but the Juve custodian somehow managed to defuse the threat.
Eight minutes into the second half, Poland were awarded a penalty for an Héctor Moreno foul on Lewandowski. It sounded like a mouthwatering chance for him to finally open his World Cup scoring account, but the 37-year-old Ochoa dived to the right direction and celebrated in the best possible way his fifth World Cup campaign.
Martin’s header and Szczesny’s subsequent save were the only additional noteworthy moments of the game as both sides seemed happy with salvaging one point – which sounds odd, considering the Saudi’s early day exploit and the possibility for both sides to put group heavyweight Argentina at a distance.
MATCH SCORECARD
November 22, 2022 – FIFA World Cup Group C
MEXICO – POLAND 0-0
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MEXICO (4-3-3): Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Alvarez, Herrera (71′ Rodriguez), Chavez; Lozano, Martin (71′ Jimenez), Vega 6 (84′ Antuna) Coach: Martino |
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POLAND (3-5-2): Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior; Bereszynski, Kaminski, Krychowiak, Zielinski (87′ Milik), Zalewski (46′ Bielik); S. Szymanski (71′ Frankowski), Lewandowski Coach: Michniewicz |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Sanchez (M), Moreno (M), Frankowski (P); Added Time: 1st Half ‘, 2nd Half ‘
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