Emotions couldn’t have been more different after the Group C final. Poland defends and celebrates a 2-0 defeat, Mexico storms furiously and mourns despite the 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia.
Poland still had to tremble after the final whistle. While Argentina’s players were singing and cheering with their own fans before the turn after the game, the Polish national team had gathered on the field in front of a smartphone. The game between Mexico and Saudi Arabia was only 15 kilometers away. This result determined whether Poland would advance to the round of 16 or not.
After the final whistle, Poland is trembling about reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup
Because on the other side of Doha Bay it was also 2-0. For Mexico. And with exactly this score, Poland would have progressed due to the fair play rating. Poland had seen five yellow cards and Mexico seven. A goal for Mexico would have meant the end for Poland.
The Polish players stood together in the center circle of Stadium 974 for two minutes and trembled when suddenly Robert Lewandowski threw his arms in the air. Saudi Arabia scored.
Premature celebration after Saudi Arabia’s 1-2
But the initial situation had hardly changed at all. Mexico needed a goal to progress – then without any fair play rating, but because of the more goals scored. The Polish players and fans didn’t quite get it, because most of them were already celebrating when the final whistle sounded in the Lusail Stadium, which actually saved Poland and meant a dramatic World Cup defeat for Mexico.
Lewandowski: Happy with defeat for the first time
“I heard Saudi Arabia scored one goal and I thought Mexico needed two. But that wasn’t the case. I realized that after two or three minutes.”said Lewandowski on ZDF and summed up: “We then had to wait a bit again. But it’s the first time in my life that I can be satisfied after a defeat.”
Lewandowski as a defender against Messi
It was curious closing stages that delivered this Group C final. While Mexico in the Lusail Stadium, despite being 2-0 up, sent wave after wave of attacks in the direction of the Saudi goal and failed again and again to goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais or themselves, Poland walled in despite being 2-0 down. Even Lewandowski stood deep in his own half and took on Messi and his teammates.
“That wasn’t so nice. But in the end we made it”analyzed Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was the best player in Poland’s kit not only because of his penalty save against Lionel Messi.
Poland offensive not to see
And he was also important, because at the latest since Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 (67th minute), Poland national coach Czesław Michniewicz was faced with the decision: attack and score a better starting position yourself, or defend and hope that Messi no longer scores. Michniewicz opted for the unconditional defense and was ultimately successful.
Mexico’s Álvarez: “There are no words”
15 kilometers further on, Mexico were not rewarded despite countless full sprints deep into injury time and constant shelling of the Saudi goal. “It’s a hard blow, there are no words for it. The team wanted it from the first minute, we had a lot of chances and opportunities to score goals. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take them. Of course, it leaves a very bitter taste.”said Mexico’s defender Edson Álvarez.
According to his own statements, Michniewicz also had a bitter taste in his mouth, but with a slightly better aftertaste: “Sometimes defeats are bittersweet”, he said. For him, the preparation for the round of 16 begins now. The reigning world champion France is waiting there with Kylian Mbappé. Lewandowski will certainly not defend against him if they are 2-0 down.