Robert Lewandowski was on target as Poland secured their first win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 triumph over Saudi Arabia on Saturday afternoon.
Krystian Bielik, Arkadiusz Milik, Przemyslaw Frankowski were three changes provided by Poland, while Salem Aldawsari, who got the winner against Argentina, started for the Saudi.
Poland staged a purposeful threat in the opening quarter in which a header by Bielik off a corner by Piotr Zielinski culminated in a goal-line clearance by Saleh Alshehri.
The Polish made their next meaningful move count when a straight pass caught the Saudis six minutes towards halftime when Lewandowski round the goalkeeper and cut the ball back for Zielinski to smash home.
There was late drama in additional time as Saudi Arabia won a penalty from a foul by Bielek on Alshehri which the pitch-side officials confirmed, but a save from Wojciech Szczesny denied Aldawsari as the Poles went into the break leading.
Activity from the bench of the Saudis ahead of the second half resulted in Nawaf Alabid thrown on and Sami Al-Najei sacrificed as they pushed for an equaliser.
Saudi Arabia were on the front-foot early on from the break and threatened the equaliser when a low shot from close-range by Aldawsari produced a point-blank stop from Szczesny.
The Polish, however, nearly had a second in the midway point of the second half where a flying header in the area by Milik following a cross bounced off the woodwork.
Another scare was provided by Poland within a few minutes after a first-time dink from Lewandowski off a low cross struck the upright and trickled back into play.
Saudi Arabia struggled to find openings and conceded again where a misplaced ball found Lewandowski, who slotted home comfortably for his maiden World Cup strike with eight minutes remaining.
Lewandowski nearly bagged a brace in added time from another one-on-one off and another loose pass, but he was denied on this occasion.
The Green Falcons searched for a late consolation goal with a curling strike from Mohamed Kanno outside the area, but he went wide and 2-0 it finished to the Polish.
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