Lewandowski scores at World Cup, Poland beats Saudis 2-0

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Poland’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his side’s 2nd goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — 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.

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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.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Saudi Arabia’s head coach Herve Renard gestures during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

It was the Poland forward’s first World Cup goal in his fifth appearance at the tournament.

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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.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri controls the ball during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Al-Owais denied Lewandowski from scoring a second goal late in the match.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Saudi Arabia’s Nawaf Al-Abed, left, and Poland’s Krystian Bielik, center, fight for the ball during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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.

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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.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports WCup Poland Saudi Arabia Soccer

Poland will next face Argentina, while Saudi Arabia will meet Mexico in their last Group C games.

© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Poland’s Bartosz Bereszynski, right, heads the ball past Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

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© Provided by Associated Press – Sports Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, right, gestures after he scores his side’s second goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) © Provided by Associated Press – Sports Referee Wilton Sampaio from Brazil, gives the yellow card to Saudi Arabia’s Abdulelah Al-Amri, during the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Saudi Arabia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)