Guillermo Ochoa saved a Robert Lewandowski penalty as Mexico and Poland performed out a 0-0 draw of their World Cup Group C opener in Doha.
Mexico have been the extra harmful facet in a recreation bereft of real attacking high quality, however Poland had the very best likelihood to assert all three factors when Lewandowski was introduced down within the space by Hector Moreno and a penalty was awarded after a VAR assessment.
Lewandowski dusted himself down however noticed a tame spot-kick saved by 37-year-old goalkeeper Ochoa, who’s making a document fifth look on the World Cup finals.
Ochoa’s heroics galvanised Mexico’s gamers, and their fervent help within the stands, however they have been unable to transform that right into a victory, as a share of the spoils left each nations behind Group C leaders Saudi Arabia – who shocked Argentina earlier on Tuesday – after one recreation performed.
Lewandowski fails to interrupt Mexico stalemate
Mexico nearly shaded a cagey opening quarter and registered the sport’s first likelihood when Alexis Vega rose on the again put up and despatched a header looping inches large.
Moments later, Jesus Gallardo’s run within the space compelled Wojciech Szczesny off his line however the Poland defence have been available after the ball ricocheted previous their goalkeeper.
After an uneventful first interval the sport got here to life after the break. Hirving Lozano’s dipping shot from distance compelled Szczesny into motion inside seven minutes of the restart earlier than a VAR intervention handed Poland the prospect to interrupt the impasse.
Hector Moreno tangles with Lewandowski, conceding a penalty awarded by way of VAR
Moreno was adjudged to have hauled Lewandowski down within the space – the penalty was awarded regardless of Mexican protests – however goalkeeper Ochoa made an excellent save to disclaim Poland’s all-time main goalscorer a maiden World Cup objective from 12 yards.
The situations have been set good for Mexico to push on and safe victory, but it surely didn’t materialise as each side settled for an opening-night level.
Lewandowski holds his head in his fingers after seeing his penalty saved
Toothless Mexico draw one other clean
Mexico have been pissed off of their goalless draw with Poland
Sky Sports activities’ Joe Shread:
Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia earlier on Tuesday blew Group C large open but it surely was additionally a end result that appeared to encourage Mexico and Poland to play it secure once they met in Doha.
Mexico had extra possession and extra pictures however by no means really threatened the scoresheet – one thing that has been a recurring theme in latest seasons.
Gerardo Martino’s facet have solely scored 18 targets of their 18 matches in 2022, whereas Vega – who began on the left of Mexico’s entrance three – is their high scorer this calendar yr with simply 4 targets.
Mexico didn’t set the world alight in CONCACAF qualifying both, coming by the eight-team part in second place after scoring 17 occasions and conceding solely eight in 14 matches.
Their goalless draw with Poland has additionally prolonged an undesirable document at World Cups, with Mexico now failing to attain in every of their final three matches on the match.
Saturday’s encounter with Argentina could be an ideal time for Mexico to seek out their capturing boots. If Martino can information his facet to victory towards his former employers, they won’t solely give themselves a great opportunity of reaching the final 16, but in addition probably remove one of many favourites from the match.
Stalemate in Doha – Opta stats
- Mexico have failed to attain in every of their final three World Cup matches, the primary time they’ve executed so since one other three-game run between 1966 and 1970.
- Poland have didn’t win their opening recreation on the World Cup in every of their final seven participations, a run that began in 1978 (D4 L3). They’ve scored only one objective throughout these seven matches.
- Since full knowledge assortment is accessible for the World Cup (1966), Poland are the primary group to fail to transform three consecutive penalties – Kazimierz Deyna vs Argentina in 1978, Maciej Zurawski vs USA in 2002, and Robert Lewandowski vs Mexico this yr.
- Aged 37 years and 132 days, Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa is the second-oldest goalkeeper to avoid wasting a penalty on the World Cup, after Egypt’s Essam El Hadary in 2018 vs Saudi Arabia (45 years 161 days).
- Since his first look on the match in 2014, solely Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois (39) has made extra saves on the World Cup than Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa (37).
What does the end result imply?
The draw means Saudi Arabia stay high of Group C after their shock victory over Argentina, with Herve Renard’s facet capable of qualify for the final 16 in the event that they beat Poland on Saturday.
It should even be all to play for when Mexico face Argentina in 4 days’ time in a recreation of must-win proportions for Lionel Messi and co.
Participant of the match – Guillermo Ochoa
Ochoa celebrates with team-mate Edson Alvarez after saving Lewandowski’s penalty
He could have had little to do repelling a toothless Polish assault, however when known as upon Ochoa produced a second befitting of a person embarking on his fifth look at a World Cup finals.
Lewandowski’s penalty was poor, but it surely wanted saving, and reserve it Ochoa did in a second which very practically propelled Mexico to victory, such was its significance and timing.
It underscored the necessary position Ochoa will play if Mexico are to progress previous the last-16 stage at a World Cup for the primary time in 36 years. Together with his attacking team-mates off color, and now goalless in three World Cup video games, preserving the ball out of their internet might be essential.
What’s subsequent?
Mexico face Argentina on Saturday, kick-off 7pm, whereas Poland play Saudi Arabia earlier that day at 1pm.
The winners of Group C will face the runner-up from Group D, containing France, Denmark, Australia and Tunisia. The runner-up in Group C will face the winners of Group D.
