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In Robert Lewandowski’s legendary 17-year-old profession, he has taken 79 penalties. He’s made 71 of them and solely missed 8. But his eightieth penalty was his most pivotal one but.
Dealing with a well-liked Mexico crew tipped to make a deep run within the knockout spherical, Lewandowski knew {that a} aim would put Poland within the driver’s seat heading into gamedays with Argentina and Saudi Arabia. He stepped up, teed one of the crucial necessary kicks of his life, swung, and missed.
In entrance of him was the resurgent Guillermo Ochoa celebrating with a triumphant look on his face. His clutch save conceded a nook however saved Mexico within the sport and within the working to proceed their World Cup dream. A story of two outcomes finally intertwined, and either side emerged with the same want; to manage their very own destinies later within the match.
With underdog aspect Saudi Arabia on top of the group, world-beater Argentina on the underside, and Mexico and Poland in between, this match was pivotal for all in Group C. Each exited Stadium 974 going through much more necessary matches forward.
Mexico and Poland battle to slim attract Group C
Mexico and Poland each had a gradual first half of matchday one in Group C. Napoli winger Hirving Lozano, exhibiting his exceptional tempo, repeatedly torched the Polish protection. Though he was not the one in entrance of the aim more often than not, his crosses and incisive passes saved the Polish protection on guard.
Mexico’s Liga MX-oriented aspect put vital strain on Wojciech Szczesny. But, the Mexican offense couldn’t hit their goal. Regardless of Mexico’s wastefulness in entrance of the aim, Szczesny nonetheless needed to make some huge saves.
Desperation consumed either side. Inside the first minutes of the final half, Lozano threatened to attain but once more with a number of photographs. Monterrey’s Hector Moreno fouled Lewandowski within the field, however fortunately for El Tri, Ochoa resorted again to his World Cup heroics.
Though every had wonderful alternatives to interrupt the impasse, neither capitalized within the 90 minutes. The sport ended scoreless, leaving every crew with one level.
Mexico fails in entrance of the aim
Mexico is a hotbed of nice attackers. Hugo Sanchez, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and extra have all worn the proud colours of the Mexican nationwide crew. Mexico itself prides itself on its sensible attacking soccer. So was their 0-0 draw an outlier?
Mexico was lackluster with their capturing, one thing that normally just isn’t a problem. Chivas winger Alexis Vega was not the adventurous winger that dominated Liga MX video games towards Poland. None of his 5 photographs had been on track, and a stellar Polish protection quieted him for a lot of the sport. The identical might be stated for the usually-prolific Henry Martin, who did drive an incredible save out of Szczesny, however couldn’t do a lot else.
Exterior of Hirving Lozano, Mexico’s offensive drive appeared weaker than ever. It is a big trigger for concern prematurely of an important fixture with Argentina. A protection with Nicolas Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez and extra will simply deal with the Mexican crew that performed towards Poland. Supervisor Gerardo Martino wants to determine an answer to Mexico’s scoring woes.
Poland can not sustain
All through the sport, Poland was persistently outplayed by Mexico. With out the heroics of Szczesny, Poland wouldn’t even take into consideration competing for a draw.
Was it the stifled offense that did not create sufficient probabilities to see have a look at the aim? Was it the wing protection, continually torched by Mexico’s tempo? Or was it a complete crew situation?
Throughout the board, Poland suffered after they needed to maintain the ball. Mexico had over 150 extra passes, 4 extra crosses, and a whopping 61% possession. El Tri moved and saved the ball higher, serving to them string explosive sequence of passes collectively.
Every time Saudi Arabia will get a variety of the ball, they win. They took 57% possession towards Iceland and gained 1-0. They took 58% possession towards Australia and gained 1-0. In opposition to Oman, they took 56% possession and gained 1-0. Exterior of Saudi Arabia’s shock 2-1 win over Argentina, the place that they had 31% possession, Saudi Arabia thrives with the ball.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Uwe Kraft
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