Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|In Pictures

Photos: Poland vs Mexico ends 0-0 after Lewandowski penalty miss

A flowing game of few fouls but fewer chances came to life around the half-hour mark.

Mexico vs Poland,
A colourfully dressed Mexico supporter gets ready to cheer on his side during Mexico and Poland's Group C match at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar on November 22, 2022. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Published On 22 Nov 202222 Nov 2022
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Poland skipper Robert Lewandowski failed to break his World Cup luck when he saw a second-half penalty saved in a goalless but entertaining draw with Mexico in their opening Group C game at Stadium 974 in Qatar on Tuesday.

Lewandowski earned the penalty after a video assistant referee (VAR) check 11 minutes into the second half when Hector Moreno tugged at his shirt in the box. But the Polish striker, who has never scored at the World Cup, saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

In a temporary arena built using 974 recycled shipping containers and overlooking the Gulf, a sea of Mexico fans in green outnumbered their Polish counterparts, making their presence felt in the 40,000-capacity venue.

A flowing game of few fouls but fewer chances came to life around the half-hour mark when Alexis Vega saw his header fly wide before Jesus Gallardo was denied with a last-man tackle when he had an open goal at his mercy two minutes later.

Mexico had the bulk of the possession, but without Raul Jimenez spearheading the attack, Henry Martin struggled to get on the end of chances in the box.

At the other end, Poland failed to get Lewandowski involved as the Barcelona striker – who has scored 18 goals for the Spanish club this season – received little service, as both keepers finished the first half without having to make a save.

With Poland losing the midfield battle, coach Czeslaw Michniewicz made a halftime substitution by hauling off Nicola Zalewski and bringing on central midfielder Krystian Bielik, which allowed Piotr Zielinski to play in an advanced role.

Advertisement

The tactical change seemed to work initially as Poland began creating chances and eventually won the penalty, which Lewandowski shot low only to have Ochoa guess correctly and dive to his left to deny the skipper.

Not to be outdone by Ochoa’s brilliance in goal, Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny also underlined his credentials moments later when he reacted quickly to change direction and deny Martin’s glancing header, which had been on target.

Mexico coach Gerardo Martino replaced Martin and brought on Jimenez with 20 minutes to go in the second half, but the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, who is returning from a long injury layoff, failed to have a shot on goal.

Mexico vs Poland
Mexican fans in the stand await the start of the match. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Team Mexico
Mexican players pose on the pitch prior to the start of their Group C contest against Poland. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Mexico vs Poland
Chances were hard to come by in a flowing game of few fouls. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Mexico vs Poland
Mexico had the bulk of the possession during the match. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
crowd already initiating a ubiquitous Mexican wave
Mexico fans generated an incredible amount of noise inside Stadium 974, with some of the crowd initiating a ubiquitous wave. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Mexico vs Poland
Both sides took turns with the ball but failed to make anything of it. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Advertisement
Mex Pol
Mexico's midfield had the upper hand in the first half of the match. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
The referee has conducted his inquiry and has awarded a penalty to Poland for the previous infraction.
The referee awarded a penalty to Poland after a foul on Robert Lewandowski, but Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa saved the spot kick. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Mexico vs Poland
Mexico won a corner on the left side and Luis Chavez sent it in, but the ball was quickly dealt with by the Polish defence. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Mexico vs Poland
Despite several efforts from both sides, neither team was able to score a goal and give their side a much-needed win. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]
Lewandowski
Lewandowski has never scored a goal at a World Cup. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network