Robert Lewandowski is almost infallible from the spot. Almost. At the World Cup opener in Qatar, his miss cost Poland a great chance. Mexico rejoices over the nil number.
With a missed penalty, Robert Lewandowski cost Poland a great World Cup chance. The world footballer failed to score in the 0-0 draw against Mexico at the start of the tournament to deafening cheers in Stadium 974 in Doha, which was almost exclusively filled with Latin American fans. Lewandowski, usually so confident from the spot, clutched his head in disappointment on Tuesday night in Qatar when he failed to beat Mexico’s outstanding goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (58th minute).
The key scene added to the sizzling atmosphere in front of 39,369 spectators who feverishly waited for the result before the video decision on Lewandowski’s penalty. In the thrilling final phase, neither the generally better Mexicans nor the frustrated Poles were able to get the lucky punch.
Lewandowski missed not only his first World Cup goal in his fourth game, but also a great chance to improve Poland’s chances of reaching the last 16 for the first time in 36 years. A few hours after the tournament shock for Lionel Messi and Argentina in their 2-1 defeat of supposed World Cup lightweights Saudi Arabia, the draw in front of Germany’s record international Lothar Matthäus made for an exciting situation in Group C. On Saturday, when Mexico face Messi, their World Cup exit could already be sealed. Poland will then face group leaders Saudi Arabia.
According to FIFA, 90,000 Mexicans in and around the stadium at the port of Doha turned the tournament opener into an atmospheric home game for their team, with even the stands vibrating at times due to the hopping. In contrast to the hot-blooded cheering and la-ola waves for their selection with many 2021 Olympic bronze medallists, the El Tri fans gave Lewandowski plenty of whistles even during the warm-up programme.
Poland’s national coach Czeslaw Michniewicz, who surprisingly promoted the agile Jakub Kaminski (20) from Wolfsburg to the World Cup formation, was only partially successful with his basic defensive formation. His defensive line did stop the lively Mexicans, who were already celebrating after Alexis Vega’s header (26th). But the plan that Lewandowski, who had switched from FC Bayern to FC Barcelona, should do the job up front did not work. Even the 34-year-old failed to take advantage of a great chance from the spot after being fouled by Hector Moreno. A header and a beautiful pass before the break – there was not much more danger from him.
The Latin Americans were always looking for Germany’s Hirving Lozano, who had caused the DFB disaster in the 1-0 defeat in Russia four years ago. Poland’s national goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny came into focus several times at the start of his last World Cup, for example when he was tested by Lozano (52nd).
In the heated final phase, in which France’s Stéphanie Frappart, in her first appearance as a woman as fourth official, had her work cut out, Mexico striker Henry Martin failed to beat Szczesny with his head (64). The Juve goalkeeper was a safe backstop, but the hero of the evening was 37-year-old Ochoa. The goalkeeping legend, in his fifth World Cup appearance, became the first Mexican keeper since 1966 to save a penalty kick during normal time in a World Cup match.