Mexico and Poland started the World Cup in Qatar with a draw. In Doha, the game ended 0-0. Mexico largely dominated the game, but Poland was closest to a goal: after less than an hour of play, Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty kick. With that, the striker is still at zero World Cup goals. Mexico’s next game is against Argentina on Saturday, while Poland takes on Saudi Arabia earlier that day.
On the side of Mexico, there was a starting place for Ajax players Edson Álvarez and Jorge Sánchez, as well as former Eredivisionists Héctor Moreno and Hirving Lozano. PSV player Érick Gutiérrez started on the bench, just like former Eredivisie players Andrés Guardado and Uriel Antuna. In Poland, Feyenoord player Sebastian Szymanski was allowed to start the match, just like star player Lewandowski. Arkadiusz Milik, who played for Ajax from 2014 to 2016, started as a reserve player.
Penalty for Poland ?? Robert Lewandowski has never scored in a World Cup final round and will remain so for the time being. Guillermo Ochoa – so often decisive in a World Cup – takes the moderately shot penalty kick from the striker.#mexpol #wk2022Watch live? https://t.co/eaAsaINS3r pic.twitter.com/WTg8qhQwOi
— NOS Football (@NOSfootball) November 22, 2022
In the somewhat disappointing first half, the biggest chances were for Mexico. Alexis Vega, for example, did not get his foot against a Lozano cross early in the game and Moreno headed over. In between, Poland also had a chance through Lewandowski, but his header went wide. After half an hour it was el Tricolor dangerous again via Vega (header just wide) and a scrimmage. However, luck was not on their side for the Mexicans. Not even via Sánchez, who saw his attempt turned with difficulty by Wojciech Szczesny just before the break.
The second half was much more attractive. Lozano created the first danger with a shot straight at Szczesny, after which Lewandowski came into a promising position on behalf of Poland. Moreno committed a foul, as a result of which Poland received a penalty after interference from the VAR. It was the perfect opportunity for Lewandowski to score his first goal in a World Cup, but Guillermo Ochoa saved his penalty. Poland’s missed penalty gave the Mexicans renewed energy. Álvarez saw his shot deflected by Szczesny and Vega shot wide. Poland was still close in injury time via Grzegorz Krychowiak, but his effort went wide. With that, both countries ended their first game at this World Cup goalless.