Poland vs Saudi Arabia 2-0: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
All the updates from the FIFA World Cup 2022 match between Poland and Saudi Arabia at Education City Stadium on November 26.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Poland vs Saudi Arabia World Cup 2022 match on Saturday, November 26.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Poland vs Saudi Arabia World Cup 2022 match on Saturday, November 26.
- Poland XI: Szczesny, Bereszyński, Kiwior, Glik, Cash, Zielinski (Kaminski, 63′), Krychowiak, Bielik, Frankowski, Milik (Piatek, 71′), Lewandowski.
- Saudi Arabia XI: Alowais, Alburayk (Alganham 65′), Albulayhi, Alamri, Abdulhamid, Kanno, Almalki (Alobud, 85′), Alanjei (Alabed, 46′), Aldawsari, Albrikan, Alshehri (Aldawsari, 85′).
- Saudi Arabia will be riding high after their shocking victory over Argentina.
- A win today and they will be in the knockouts.
- Poland are coming off a draw with Mexico.
- Polish superstar Lewandowski will be hunting for his first goal of the tournament.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
That’s a wrap
After their shocking win against Argentina, many would have pegged Saudi Arabia to continue their run, especially against a Polish side that put in an underwhelming performance in their first match against Mexico.
However, football can be a fickle thing, and the Eagles ultimately bested the Green Falcons on this occasion.
So where does that leave things?
With two matches played, Poland sit on top of Group C with four points while Saudi Arabia move down to second with three. However, the Mexico-Argentina match is coming up, so we will have to see how that one ends up to get a better sense of things.
Do make sure to check our live coverage of that one later as we now switch focus to Stadium 974, where France and Denmark are set to do battle.
France vs Denmark live coverage
What a World Cup this Saturday has been so far, and it looks like it just might be getting better as we have France vs Denmark up next.
Do make sure to jump onto that one as we wrap things up.
5⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣ supporters sur place pour soutenir l’@equipedefrance face au Danemark 🏟️
Allez les Bleus 🇫🇷#FRADAN pic.twitter.com/7WjfzGjxck— FFF (@FFF) November 26, 2022
Read our match report
It’s been a pulsating encounter – and we have it summarised for you here.
Monkey off his back
First World Cup goal EVER for Robert Lewandowski 🤜🏻🤛🏻🇵🇱 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/tZmZEkhORn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 26, 2022
Full time!
And with the seven minutes of stoppage time elapsed, play is brought to an end with Poland securing a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
If you watched all of the match, you will get a sense that the result does betray Saudi Arabia’s effort somewhat.
They came out guns blazing from the opening kick-off and, despite dominating possession at 64 percent, just couldn’t make the vital breakthrough.
A lot of credit would have to go to Poland goalkeeper Szczesny, who put in an imperious performance.
His talent was ably demonstrated by the 16 total shots Saudi Arabia had in comparison to Poland’s nine.
Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Latest from our reporter at Saudi House
Al Abid’s night comes to a close
Substitute Al Abid is substituted as Hatan Bahbri is brought on in his place.
90+6 mins: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Lewandowski almost makes it three
Saudi Arabia look to be on the back foot here as Poland continue to advance.
Lewandowski almost gets a brace as he tries to beat Alowais in a one-on-one.
The keeper gets a decisive touch on it and Albulayhi is able to fend it away to the right of the goal.
Meanwhile, the fourth official has signalled for seven minutes of added time.
90 mins: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Double substitution for Saudi Arabia
After that Almalki blunder, Renard decides he has had enough and replaces him with Nasser Aldawsari.
He also brings on Abdulrahman Alobud for Saleh Alshehri as well.
86 mins: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
GOAL!
Lewandowski finally breaks his World Cup duck!
A defensive lapse by Almalki just outside the box opens the door for the Barcelona striker, who steals the ball, steadies himself in the face of an advancing Alowais, and then places it to the right of him with ease.
The Polish striker looks very emotional! He gets huge cheers from the Polish fans as he finally gets that elusive first goal.
82 mins: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia
Saudi closest chance yet!
Abdulhamid continues to have an influential role on that left flank as he tries to get in a quick pass into the box.
The ball ends up pinging a few players on route to Almalki.
He puts his laces through it but the ball steers just wide off the right post.
79 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Alamri in some pain
After being brought down in an aerial challenge, Saudi defender Alamri looks to be in some trouble as he rubs his right shoulder but is able to continue.
76 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Milik comes off for Poland
Milik, just minutes after almost making it 2-0 for his side, comes off to rousing applause.
Let’s see if his replacement, Krzysztof Piątek, could be more impactful.
71 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Szczesny-Aldawsari battle continues
Aldawsari tries to curl one from outside of the box into the far right corner, but Szczesny has been outstanding tonight.
Into the last 20 minutes now, but one gets a sense anything could happen.
70 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
The latest reactions from Saudi House
The chances are coming for the Saudi team, and it’s getting the fans excited at Saudi House in Doha. They had been a bit quiet since half-time with nerves starting to set in. They want to believe this will be the year they finally get to the knock-out stages for the first time since 1994.
Poland hit post again!
Lewandowski almost breaks his goalless World Cup streak!
He gets a close chance just right of the goal, but Alowais gets a glove on it to send the ball ricocheting into the top right of the post.
Meanwhile, Alburayk makes way for Alghannam for Saudi Arabia.
65 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Absolute chaos
Can’t take your eyes off this one!
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) November 26, 2022
Milik header strikes post
Poland are inches away there from making it 2-0.
Milik gets his head on a lovely cross from the left side and sends the ball clattering into the left post.
Saudi Arabia survive a huge scare there.
64 minutes: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Goal scorer comes off for Poland
After being the hero of the first half, Zielinski’s eventful night comes to a close as he is replaced by Jakub Kaminski.
62 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Szczęsny is on his game
The Polish goalkeeper is having a blinder here. He’s followed his double save off the penalty with an instinctive save with his legs in a goal-line scramble that unbelievably didn’t end with the ball in the back of the net.
Saudi Arabia are asking questions of Poland, but Szczęsny has found an answer for everything so far.
Albrikan fluffs glorious chance
Really mesmerizing play from Saudi Arabia in these past few minutes as yet another wave of attacks almost yields a goal.
This time it is Albrikan’s turn as he makes a run in from the left side into the box. He rifles it, but the ball ends up sailing just left of the net.
60 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Saudi close to making it 1-1
After Nawaf receives the ball inside of the box, he is quickly brought down and the Saudi players protest for a penalty check.
The ball ends up at the feet of Aldawsari, who tries to tap it in quickly, but Szczesny is equal to the task.
Close call there for Poland as Saudi Arabia looked inches away from tying it up.
55 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Saudis looking to equalise
The high press continues for the Green Falcons as they look to get back into this contest.
They have had a pair of corners now, but nothing to show for it. They’re coming close though.
51 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Saudi win first corner of second half
Cash concedes a left side corner, which is taken quickly but nothing transpires from it.
47 mins: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia
Second half begins!
Saudi Arabia open proceedings in the second half.
Let’s hope for another 45 minutes of high-octane action.
46 minutes: Poland 1-0 Saudi Arabia