Robert Lewandowski Scores First Ever World Cup Goal
Photo from McVitie, 2022
Edited by Michelle Ho
Robert Lewandowski ended his streak of 4 World Cup matches without a goal by scoring Poland’s decisive second goal to seal the match against Saudi Arabia at the Education City Stadium. The 34-year-old Barcelona striker is Poland’s leading goal scorer with 76 goals in 134 appearances, but was yet to make his mark on the biggest stage of all, the FIFA World Cup.
The Polish team were unable to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 tournaments held in South Africa and Brazil, and only managed to score 2 goals as they finished bottom in their group 4 years ago in Russia. The team is currently at the top of their table, surpassing Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico. A draw or win in their next fixture against Argentina will guarantee their advancement to the knockout stage, a feat they have not achieved since 1986.
Lewandowski, who missed a penalty in their goalless draw against Mexico, was visibly emotional after his first goal. His thrilled teammates surrounded him as he wept tears of joy and ran around the pitch in celebration.
“I’m aware this might be my last World Cup,” Lewandowski said after the fixture. “Already during the anthem, singing the national anthem, I felt the emotions inside of me.”
“To score at a World Cup would be a huge dream and I’m going to do everything for this dream. I hope in this World Cup it will happen,” Lewandowski said before the World Cup began.
Bibliography
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63685897
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63769352
https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lewandowski-childhood-dreams-fulfilled-first-world-cup-goal/bltbd625661e7967de8
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63630796
