FIFA World Cup 2022, Poland humble Saudi Arabia 2-0: Stats
Robert Lewandowski starred as Poland thrashed Saudi Arabia in a Group C match of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Saudi had an effort pushed away before Poland's Piotr Zielinski scored off a Lewandowski pass to break the deadlock. Saudi missed a penalty to be 0-1 down at half-time. The Falcons missed two more close chances before Lewandowski fetched a goal to complete the rout.
How did the match pan out?
Poland scored against the run of play, with Zielinski slotting home a Lewandowski cutback before half-time. Minutes later, Saudi failed to convert a penalty after Krystian Bielik's foul on Saleh Al Shehri. Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny kept out Feras Al Brikan's effort before denying Saudi off the rebound. Poland pressed hard and hit the woodwork twice but the wait ended soon with Lewy.
10th international goal for Zielinski
As per Opta, Zielinski has been directly involved in 14 goals for club and country combined in 2022-23. He has managed seven goals and as many assists. Overall, he netted his 10th goal in international football.
A look at the head-to-head record
This was Poland's first meet with Saudi Arabia since March 2006 in a friendly, with the former winning 2-1 thanks to a brace from Lukasz Sosin. Also, it was Poland's third WC game against an Asian nation. They suffered a 0-2 beating to Korea Republic in 2002, while they overcame Japan 1-0 in 2018.
Interesting records from the match
As per Opta, there were five yellow cards in the first half of Poland-Saudi Arabia. It's the most in the opening half of a FIFA World Cup match since the 2010 final (Spain vs Netherlands). Poland have won all 15 of their World Cup games in which they have opened the scoring.
Szczesny and Lewandowski enter record books
As per Squawka, Szczesny has now saved a penalty in League One, Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, Supercoppa, and World Cup and backed up with a follow-up. Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal in his fifth game at the World Cup. He netted his 77th international goal. He has equaled Brazilian legend Pele among the leading goal-scorers in international football.
A look at key stats and standings
Saudi had more of the ball, notching a 64% possession compared to Poland (36%). The Falcons also took 16 shots with five on target, while Poland managed nine with three on target. Saudi (85%) also had a higher pass accuracy than Poland (77%). Poland are currently atop Group C standings (W1 D1). Saudi Arabia are second with three points in their arsenal (W1 L1).
Team records from the match
Poland are unbeaten in their opening two games of a World Cup tournament for the first time since 1986 (W1 D1). The Eagles have also equaled their longest run of consecutive clean sheets at the WC, keeping three in a row for the first time since 1978. Saudi have lost each of their last nine WC matches against European teams dating back to 1994.
Records galore for Szczesny
As per Opta, Szczesny has become the third goalkeeper to save a penalty and keep a clean sheet in the same match at the 2022 WC, joining Belgium's Thibaut Courtois and Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa. It's the most time this has happened in a single World Cup tournament since 1966 (when data is available).
