AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Robert Lewandowski finally scored at the World Cup on Saturday, helping Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 and boosting his team’s chances of reaching the round of 16.
Lewandowski shed tears after scoring on 82 minutes. He ran into the corner with arms outstretched, then slumped on the pitch as his teammates rushed to congratulate him. He got up, rubbed his face, and blew a kiss to the crowd.
It was the Polish striker’s first World Cup goal in his fifth appearance at the tournament.
Lewandowski, 34, also set up the opener in the 40th minute when he kept the ball in play after goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais’s initial block, then set it up for Piotr Zielinski to score.
Al-Owais prevented Lewandowski from scoring a second goal late in the match.
Poland were battling it out for long stretches at Education City Stadium as the Saudi team was roused by enthusiastic fans in what looked like a home game.
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Salem Al-Dawsari’s penalty late in the first half. He then blocked Mohammed Al-Burayk’s shot from the rebound.
Poland will next face Argentina, while Saudi Arabia will take on Mexico in their last Group C matches.
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