Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal to keep progress hopes alive in Qatar as they beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Saturday.
Lewandowski, already Poland’s top scorer and the third-highest goalscorer in Champions League history, did not play in the 2014 World Cup after Poland failed to qualify. He didn’t score in the 2018 campaign, nor in his first game against Mexico in 2022.
He was emotional after Saturday’s goal, gliding across the pitch in celebration and his team-mates jumped on top of him as he buried his face in the turf.
It doubled Poland’s lead late in the game to secure an important victory over the Green Falcons, who flew high after beating Argentina.
Poland’s first goal came in the first half when Lewandowski passed the ball to his team-mate Piotr Jelinski, who finished without a mistake.
Saudi Arabia missed several chances to equalize in the second half before Lewandowski sealed victory in Poland.
What’s next: Poland, currently top of Group C, play Argentina on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia, currently second in the group, also hosts Mexico on Wednesday.