Poland’s Lewandowski misses penalty in goalless draw with Mexico

Doha, Nov 22 (EFE).- Poland’s talisman Robert Lewandowski had a golden chance to seal a win against Mexico in their opening Group C match on Tuesday but saw his scuffed penalty saved by Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico, who held on for a goalless draw.

The penalty had been awarded after an intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which spotted that Hector Moreno had impeded Lewandowski as the Polish star striker shaped to shoot inside the box.

But Ochoa guessed correctly to dive to his left and palm Lewandowski’s disappointing effort to safety, sending thousands of Mexican fans wild.

Mexico were backed by huge numbers of green-clad, sombrero-sporting supporters who helped create an intense atmosphere inside Stadium 974, but they could not inspire the Tricolor to find the breakthrough in a closely fought stalemate.

The draw means that Saudi Arabia – the lowest ranked team in the group – leads the standings after they secured an historic 2-1 victory over Argentina earlier on Tuesday. EFE

spo-ks