At the end of the first day, group C shows an unimaginable ranking: Saudi Arabia at 3 points after the clamorous victory over Argentina, Mexico and Poland at 1, Albiceleste bringing up the rear. 

The teams led by Martino and Michniewicz seem to settle for the draw in the end, postponing the possible assault on group primacy;

a scenario that seemed like fantasy football, but the defeat of Messi and his companions has opened up any outcome.

In the first half it was the Mexico of the "Neapolitan" Hirving Lozano who made themselves more dangerous.

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Qatar 2022 World Cup - Hirving Lozano

Poland, which in the initial eleven fields 6 players who play in our championship (out of the 10 overall called up), fails to be really insidious.

(GettyImages/ApPhoto)

Qatar 2022 World Cup, Szczesny, Kiwior, Glik, Bereszynski, Zalewski, Zielinski

FIRST HALF

On the fifth first occasion of the race for Mexico.

Lozano takes advantage of a mistake in the Polish rearguard, earns the goal and launches a cross-shot that dangerously crosses the entire small area: at the far post Vega fails to correct on the net.

On the 26th left-footed cross from Herrera, Vega himself hits a header behind Cash: the ball ends inches from the post to the left of Szczesny, who seemed to be on the trajectory anyway. 

After 30 minutes of the match, Poland remains harmless, but Mexico continues to struggle to find openings in the red and white rearguard;

a lot of density in midfield.

In the 45th minute Sanchez takes advantage of a loose ball on the short side of the penalty area and kicks with first intention: Sczcesny doesn't trust the grip and blocks for a corner kick.

End of the first half: a fraction essentially dominated by the fear of losing rather than the desire to build the game.

SECOND HALF

In the second half, in the 54th minute, VAR check: Lewandowski protests in fact for a hold by Moreno, which did not allow him to get to the ball before Ochoa.

Beath, who had not initially awarded the penalty, decreat the penalty.  


But at the 57th Robert Lewandowski lets himself be hypnotized by Ochoa, Mexican audience in raptures.

(GettyImages)

Qatar 2022 World Cup, Mexico - Poland, Robert Lewandowski's reaction to Guillermo Ochoa's save

7 minutes later Mexico sees itself again: Alvarez's shot-cross loaded with spin, Martin's twisting of the head calls Sczcesny to the big answer: then Bereszynski takes care of anticipating Lozano, who was preparing for the tap in.


Halfway through the second half, a whirlwind of changes for the two technicians.

Martino recalls Herrera for Rodriguez and throws Raul Jimenez into the fray in place of Martin.

In Poland, on the other hand, a midfield relay between Szymanski and Frankowski.


At the 82nd occasion for the red and white.

Zielinski's corner extended with a header by Glik, Krychowiak's confident shot at the far post finds Sanchez's body blocking the shot a few steps from the line.

In the sixth of the seven minutes of added time decreed by the referee Beath, Krychowiak receives twenty meters from Lewandowski and tries the violent, high right foot.

It ends here: Mexico - Poland 0 to 0.