Saudi Arabia entered the field at the Education City Stadium with an extra spring in its step because it could see history and the riches that go along with it. Salem Al-Dawsari, who scored a goal reminiscent of Messi in front of Messi the other day, missed a penalty, leaving the team upset following a 2-0 loss to Poland.
Al-Dawsari was unfortunate to be up against one of the best spot-kick stoppers in the game with one first-half minute remaining and a goal down. Wojciech Szczesny dived to his right and deflected the Saudi No. 10’s timid attempt, saving his 25th penalty. He jumped to his feet quickly and was able to block Mohammed Al-well-placed Burayk’s volley.
After a VAR review, it was determined that Krystian Bielik had touched Saleh Al Shehri’s trailing ankle within the box lightly.
Despite constant Saudi Arabian pressure, the Polish goal was scored in the 39th minute. Piotr Zielinski, who was alert and quick, was there in the six-yard box to score the game’s opening goal as Robert Lewandowski attempted to keep the ball in play after being deterred by the goalkeeper first.
The Saudis had plenty of chances up to that point, but no goals. Mohamed Kanno started the game off in the 13th minute by playing a ball to the right. As the cutback came to him, a stinging flyer followed, clipping Szczesny’s fingers before sailing safely into the seats.
A cross from Saud Abdulhamid was brought in by a prolonged run of patient possession that was building around the box, and Kamil Glik had to leap to his feet to stop the threat.
In the 26th minute, Krystian Bielik’s powerful header from a Zielinski corner was valiantly blocked by Saleh Al-Shehri on the goal line.
When the game resumed, Saudi Arabia and Al-Dawsari had a fortunate opportunity to atone for the missed penalty, but the captain couldn’t keep his shot down after a lucky ball fell to him during a penalty box altercation.
The Polish players were happy to take advantage of the spacious areas as the Saudis advanced forward in hope and desperation. Lewandowski, desperate to score his first Cup goal, managed a feeble touch with the calf of his right leg in the 62nd minute, but the post again saved him. Earlier in the game, Arkadiusz Milik had struck the crossbar.
In the 82nd minute, the Barcelona striker finally scored his first World Cup goal when Abdulelah Al-Malki, a defender, mishandled a harmless ball with a lurking predator. The goal was scored, the ball was stolen, and Saudi Arabia’s hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds were still unfulfilled.
