Mexico and Poland were unable to find a breakthrough in their 2022 World Cup Group C opener after a 0-0 draw in Doha.
Argentina’s shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia earlier in the day threw the group open ahead of kickoff at Stadium 974, but neither side could take advantage.
In a contest of few clear cut chances, Poland captain Robert Lewandowski wasted an opportunity to snatch a win, as his second half spot kick was superbly saved by Mexico captain Guillermo Ochoa.
A man that LOVES playing in the #FIFAWorldCup 🇲🇽#Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/UP3NXknZlm
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022
Lewandowski’s misery was Mexico’s elation at full time as their popular veteran skipper emerged as the hero.
MORE: How Mexico vs. Poland unfolded
How much did Lewandowski’s miss cost Poland vs. Mexico
A point each is far from a disaster for either team in the opening round of action in Qatar, but Argentina’s loss gives this result a tinge of a missed opportunity.
Aside from Lewandowski’s spot kick, there was a real lack of goal threat at either end, and a draw is probably a fair result.
Despite the frustration of Ochoa denying Lewandowski, the traveling Polish fans were the happier ones at full time, with Mexico edging the balance of the game, and managers Gerardo Martino (Mexico) and Czesław Michniewicz (Poland) will both be wary of facing a wounded Argentina.
MORE: Mexico player ratings vs. Poland
What is Lewandowski’s penalty record for Poland
Lewandowski is unrivaled as the leading scorer for the Poland national side with 76 international goals for his country.
His penalty record is one of the strongest at the 2022 World Cup with a pre-tournament conversion rate of 89.4 percent at club level, with 59 scored from 66 taken, more than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in domestic action.
That figure is even more impressive for Poland, with 12 from 13 (92.3 percent) scored from the spot, prior he was denied by Ochoa.
His only previous penalty miss for Poland came in a 2010 friendly loss against Australia, with Adam Federici keeping him out, and he also failed from the spot with his first penalty for Barcelona in their 2-0 win over Almeria on November 5.
What is Robert Lewandowski’s career penalty record?
Lewandowski’s numbers have now changed after being thwarted against Mexico with 12 converted from 14 for Poland and an overall career record (domestic and international combined) of 71 scored from 80 taken (88.7 percent).
Where does Lewandowski compare to 2022 World Cup spot kick takers?
Based on pre-tournament figures, Lewandowski ranks highly as a reliable penalty taker in international football, with only three players at the tournament ranking ahead of him (based on more than five penalties taken).
- Ilkay Gundogan (Germany): 100% (6 of 6)
- Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 93.3% (14 of 15)
- Christian Pulisic (USA): 100% (6 of 6)
However, Lewandowski’s miss against Mexico brings him down to 85.7 percent, and drops him to sixth on the 2022 World Cup list, with Neymar and Raul Jimenez now ahead of him.
MORE: World Cup Group C updated schedule and standings
How many penalties has Guillermo Ochoa saved for Mexico?
On the flip side of Lewandowski’s penalty record dropping is Ochoa’s impressive penalty save record improving.
The 37-year-old has faced 15 penalties as Mexico ‘keeper during his long career in between the posts for El Tri with four saved after the heroics against Lewandowski.
¡El superhéroe de #ElTri! 🦸♂️
🇲🇽 @yosoy8a fue elegido el Jugador del Partido #Budweiser.#POTM #YoursToTake #Budweiser @budfootball pic.twitter.com/zA61zCTPlb
— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) November 22, 2022
He was beaten by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the 2014 World Cup and Andreas Granqvist in 2018, but his stop from Lewandowski is a first in the World Cup for him, and his first for Mexico since denying Andre Silva in the 2017 Confederations Cup.
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