Luay Ahmed
Mexico started the game on the front foot, with a large contingent of their fans cheering them on from the stands, as they attempted to apply the pressure Poland in the first five minutes. However, the first chance of the match fell to Robert Lewandowski, who got his head on to a Zielinski corner but couldn’t find the target.
Mexico’s first chance of the game came in the 12th minute, when Hector Moreno got his head onto a corner but headed over the crossbar. Moreno was again involved in the action shortly afterwards, as a tangle with Polish striker Lewandowski saw the center forward go to ground in the box, but the referee did not deem it sufficient contact to award a penalty.
Mexico’s next chance came when Hector Herrera sent a cross into the box. Alexis Vega outjumped Matty Cash but could not steer his header on target. Mexico continued to threaten during a scrappy first half, with their wingers providing multiple dangerous crosses into the box, while being met with a series of assured gathers from the Polish goalkeeper.
The first half ended 0-0, with Mexico looking the stronger side, and Robert Lewandowski struggling to get into the game.
In the second half, Lewandowski earned himself and his team a golden opportunity to take the lead, after he was brought down in the box and awarded a penalty, following a VAR review. Poland’s number nine stepped up to take the spot kick, but his effort to the bottom right corner of the goal was saved by Guillermo Ochoa.
Following the penalty miss, both teams pushed men forward in an attempt to grab the winning goal, with neither side being able to fashion a clear chance on goal. After 8 minutes of added time, the referee’s whistle brought an end to an evenly fought contest. Both Mexico and Poland are now on one point, behind group leaders Saudi Arabia.