AL RAYYAN, Qatar: Robert Lewandowski finally scored at the World Cup on Saturday, helping Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 and boosting his team’s chances of reaching the knockout stages.
Lewandowski shed tears after scoring in the 82nd minute. He raced toward the corner with his arms outstretched, then stayed slumped on the field as teammates rushed to congratulate him. He got up, rubbed his face, and blew a kiss to the crowd.
It was the Poland forward’s first World Cup goal in his fifth appearance at the tournament.
The 34-year-old Lewandowski also set up the opener in the 40th minute when he kept the ball in play after goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais’ initial block, then laid it back for Piotr Zielinski to knock in.
Al-Owais denied Lewandowski from scoring a second goal late in the match.
Poland was scrambling for long periods at the Education City Stadium as the Saudi team was pushed forward by enthusiastic fans in what seemed like a home game.
Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved Salem Al-Dawsari’s penalty at the end of the first half. He then blocked Mohammed Al-Burayk’s shot from the rebound.
Poland will next face Argentina, while Saudi Arabia will meet Mexico in their last Group C games.
Lewandowski scores at World Cup, Poland beat Saudis 2-0
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Lewandowski scores at World Cup, Poland beat Saudis 2-0
- The 34-year-old Lewandowski also set up the opener in the 40th minute when he kept the ball in play
- Al-Owais denied Lewandowski from scoring a second goal late in the match
Matarazzo’s Real Sociedad beat Athletic in Copa semi first leg
- Real Sociedad took a convincing step toward reaching the Seville final as they continued their run of fine form under New Jersey native Matarazzo
BILBAO, Spain: Benat Turrientes fired Real Sociedad into a 1-0 Copa del Rey semifinal first leg lead at Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s La Real, unbeaten in nine games across all competitions since he took charge, impressed at Athletic’s San Mames stadium and deserved their derby triumph.
On Thursday holders Barcelona visit Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the second semifinal.
Real Sociedad took a convincing step toward reaching the Seville final as they continued their run of fine form under New Jersey native Matarazzo.
Athletic, 24-time winners — more than any side other than Barcelona — have struggled for consistency this season and were second best in front of their disappointed fans in a typically intense derby clash.
La Real slowly inched up the pressure during the first half and had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down before half-time when Aymeric Laporte handled Duje Caleta-Car’s header.
They largely dominated after the interval and Pablo Marin struck the post from close range after Athletic goalkeeper Alex Padilla saved Mikel Oyarzabal’s effort.
Lively Portuguese winger Goncalo Guedes fired wide before creating the only goal of the game in Bilbao.
Guedes was taken out by Padilla as he ran through but the referee played advantage as Turrientes fired the winger’s pass, released just before the collision, into an empty net.
Spain winger Nico Williams had a shot blocked for Athletic at the other end but it was Real Sociedad creating more danger and looking more likely to score a second than concede a leveller.
The second leg takes place on March 4 at the Reale Arena.
