Robert Lewandowski has hinted he fulfilled a ‘childhood dream’ by scoring for Poland at the World Cup.
The Barcelona star scored Poland’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia on Saturday. It happened four days after he missed a penalty in his side’s goalless draw against Mexico.
Lewandowski was in tears after finding the net for his country. His goal ensured their hopes of making it to the knockout stages remained alive.
“I think the older I get the more emotional I get, and I’m aware that as far as the World Cups go it might be my last actually,” the 34-year-old said.
“After I scored, everything I had inside – the dreams and also the importance of the goal, and how I scored – all those childhood dreams came true and came true.”
Just as Poland’s first game relied on a saved penalty, when Mexican Guillermo Ochoa fended off Lewandowski’s free-kick, so did their second.
This time it was Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny who proved the hero after Saudi Arabia received the sweetest penalty, saving Salem Al Dawsari’s spot-kick and then brilliantly recovering from Mohammed’s rebound Al Burayk.
The former Arsenal number one was mobbed by his teammates, with his heroics ensuring Poland were 1-0 up at half-time after Lewandowski set up Piotr Zielinski.
Lewandowski’s goal sealed the deal with eight minutes remaining.
Asked about his star striker’s emotional reaction after scoring, Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz said: “I wasn’t surprised because I know how deeply sad he was in the last game. The whole team supported him.
“He could have scored a hat-trick today and I’m so happy for him because we were very sad after he missed the penalty in the last game. But a player won’t win the game alone, strength is in strength. team and they’ve all been fabulous, and Robert gave Zielinski an assist and also scored, so we’re happy.
Saudi coach Hervé Renard said his side did not put in an “efficient” performance, but he too was happy with his players despite the loss, which followed the earthquake shock of Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Al ‘Argentina.
“We are still alive,” he said.
“We will play until the last second of our World Cup, whether it’s next time (against Mexico) or another time, we won’t give up.
“I’m just proud of them. I know them perfectly now. I know they are sad. Some of them feel guilty, but football is a team game.
“Sometimes you get success, today we failed, so we fail together. But we still have one game and hopefully a second and maybe more. It’s important to stay focused and think about November 30 (the game against Mexico).
READ MORE: Poland take their chance but classy moments end up seeing Saudi Arabia
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