Europe 1 with AFP 7:32 p.m., November 22, 2022
After Argentina's surprise defeat against Saudi Arabia (1-2) and the draw between Denmark and Tunisia (0-0), Mexico and Poland were neutralized (0-0) on Tuesday evening , in Doha, in an intense match, but with many faults and technical approximations.
The devil did not leave his box: Robert Lewandowski was contained by the Mexicans and their goalkeeper Ochoa, who saved his penalty, holding Poland in check (0-0) at the 974 stadium in Doha, Tuesday in the group C of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The first match played in this enclosure made from brightly colored shipping containers ended with a disappointing result for both teams.
Like the match, far from the thrills provided by the victory of Saudi Arabia against Argentina (2-1) a little earlier, in the other match of the group.
It was therefore Saudi Arabia that took the lead in this group, to everyone's surprise.
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Boring game
In the only stadium in the competition that is naturally ventilated and not air-conditioned, it was not the cold that the supporters had to complain about but rather boredom.
The Mexicans, animated by the "grinta" which often characterizes the teams of South and Central America, pressed high and often carried in number towards the goals kept by Wojciech Szczesny, in vain.
From the 5th minute, Luis Chavez missed his volley after a cross from Lozano, then Alexis Vega saw his head graze the uprights (26th), before Szczesny deflected a shot from a tight angle from Jorge Sanchez, but no what to exult the supporters of the "Tri", more numerous than those of the White Eagles in the stands.
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Lewandowski still silent at the World Cup
On the other side, the Poles failed to impose their game or find their offensive weapon Robert Lewandowski.
Like during this counterattack where Nicola Zalewski misdosed his pass to the FC Barcelona striker (17th), or this free kick (50th) from Piotr Zielinski, who did not find a taker.
So "Lewangoalski" wanted to force his destiny, by chasing a lost cause, an ill-fitting pass in the Mexican area, causing a fault by defender Hector Moreno sanctioned by the VAR (58th).
But the top scorer in the history of Poland (76 goals in 134 selections) saw his strike, not enough crossed, diverted by the veteran "Memo" Ochoa, captain of Mexico who is playing, at 37, his fifth World Cup.
And the bad streak continued for the FC Barcelona striker, who, at 34, still hasn't scored a single goal at a World Cup... Lewandowski, player who has worn the Whites jersey the most and Red, will have at least two other chances to catch up against Saudi Arabia on Saturday (2:00 p.m.) then Argentina on November 30 (8:00 p.m.).