Not over for the Saudis. Not by a long shot. But this was to be Poland and Robert Lewandoski’s day.
You’d never have believed that none of the super-striker’s previous 76 international goals had come in a World Cup. His emotion during his goal celebration seven minutes from time, however, told its own story.
“The older I get, the more emotional I get,” he said. “I am aware that when it comes to the World Cup this could be my last. I wanted to underscore that I have played and scored at World Cups.
“When I scored, everything that I had inside - the dreams, the importance of the goal, the way I scored it - all the dreams from my early childhood were fulfilled.”
Lewandowski had drawn a blank in his four previous World Cup games. He’d missed a penalty against the Mexicans in Poland’s Group C opener.
And it looked again as though his luck was to be out here - even though he changed his golden boots from the first half to yellow ones in the second. He was still to be frustrated in the 65th minute, when his effort was pushed onto the post by the Saudis’ superb goalkeeper, Mohamed Al Owais.
Then, however, the breakthrough. Hapless midfielder Abdelulelah Al Malki dithered on the ball in front of his own box, Lewandowski robbed him and slid the ball past onrushing Al Owais with just eight minutes left.
It was to be a harsh lesson for the Saudis in the Education City Stadium. Piotr Zielinski had given Poland a first-half lead from Lewandowski's cutback six minutes before half-time. But the Saudis fought back superbly and should have levelled from the spot five minutes later, after Krystian Bielik fouled Saleh Al Sheheri.
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Poland 'keeper and Man of the Match Wojciech Szczesny kept out Nasser Al Dawsari's effort - then produced a sensational, one-handed stop to prevent Mohammed Al Burayk burying the rebound. Even then, the Saudis hung in there - until ruthless Lewandowski finished them off.
He added: “My change of shoes was caused by the pitch because it was different, I wanted to improve the traction. There was no big story behind it. But it really was a great performance from the team.”
Saudi coach Herve Renard insisted he was still proud of his men despite their defeat. He said: “Some people around the world probably didn’t understand we could play football this good. But we are still alive.
“Malki made a mistake for the second goal but I have to support all the players. We are still alive. Now, I’d like to see a green stadium one more time. I want to see the fans support the players because we have to be proud of them.”
