After Saudi Arabia shocked the world with a win against Argentina, Group C was open for the taking for one of Mexico or Poland.
However, both teams canceled each other out with a goalless draw at the Stadium 947 in Doha. Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski came into the game looking for his first World Cup goal but couldn’t get past Mexico’s veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
The polish striker was granted a chance to fix that with a second half penalty but once again, Ochoa added to his catalogue of world cup heroics with a brilliant save. It was Lewandowski’s first penalty miss for the national team leaving Poland’s all-time leading scorer with 76 goals without the elusive World Cup goal.
Mexico dominated possession throughout the game but were toothless in the Polish 18-yard box without Raul Jimenez spearheading the attack.
The game would be remembered as the curtain raiser for the first ever temporary stadium to host a World Cup fixture. The stadium was made from 974 recycled shipping containers and will be dismantled after the World Cup.
The result leaves Saudi Arabia as group leaders following their stunning upset of Argentina, but gives hope to the Argentines.
