World Cup Now: Man of the Match for Poland vs. Saudi Arabia
Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal in Poland’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia Saturday at Education City Stadium, but the FC Barcelona star wasn’t the game’s only goalscorer, nor was he the only standout performer.
Former United States men’s national team players DaMarcus Beasley, Jimmy Conrad and Sacha Kljestan discusses their picks for Man of the Match on “World Cup Now.”
Beasley: Robert Lewandowski
Any time you break any kind of duck in your career or with your team with goal-scoring, I think it should be applauded. He does so much for Poland that I think his impact goes unannounced sometimes.
Yes, he’s a goalscorer, but he does so much for this team: He works hard, he’s the captain, you see him tracking back in the last 10 minutes of the game to try to hold onto the lead. Those are things you need from your captain even though he’s a No. 9. He defends, he works hard and because of that, he gets his reward.
Robert Lewandowski scores his first World Cup goal for Poland against Saudi Arabia
Robert Lewandowski scored his first World Cup goal in the 81′ against Saudi Arabia.
Conrad: Piotr Zielinski
He ended up scoring the first goal to really the tone for Poland. I think Saudi Arabia had the run of play up to that point.
He’s had a terrific season in Italy with his club Napoli in Serie A — they’re one of the best teams in Europe right now — and he’s a big reason why.
It’s good for him and his team that he has that type of confidence to hit the back of the net.
Poland vs. Saudi Arabia Highlights
Poland and Saudi Arabia squared off in the group stage of the World Cup.
Kljestan: Wojciech Szczesny
Before the game, I said Robert Lewandowski was going to have two goals and Poland would win 2-0. He had one goal and one assist. I said he’d step up and he did. However, my man of the match Szczesny.
Without his double save, Lewandowski isn’t able to shine. Without Szczesny, they don’t win this game.
Wojciech Szczesny makes an incredible save on a PK to keep Poland ahead of Saudi Arabia
Wojciech Szczesny makes a ridiculous save on a PK to keep Poland ahead of Saudi Arabia at 1-0 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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