Poland vs Saudi Arabia - World Cup: Team news, lineups & prediction
Match preview
On Saturday, Poland will face off against unexpected group champions Saudi Arabia in a game that will determine who advances to the World Cup 2022.
In Tuesday's opening match, the Bialo-czerwoni drew 0-0 with Mexico thanks to Robert Lewandowski's missed penalty, while their opponents defeated Argentina to pull off one of the biggest World Cup upsets in recent memory.
Polish talisman Lewandowski was wrestled to the ground by Hector Moreno in the penalty area on Tuesday, giving Poland a golden opportunity to steal all three points against Mexico after a lackluster, perhaps overly cautious opening 45 minutes at Stadium 974.
Guillermo Ochoa, a World Cup hero, was there to stop the nation's all-time leading scorer, but the Barcelona forward missed from 12 yards for the second time in a row.
A win here is crucial if Poland is to have any chance of moving on, and they will need to be alert against a Saudi Arabia team that will be pressing hard and still be celebrating their biggest win ever.
As the 31-year-amazing old's curling finish doomed Argentina to their first loss in 36 games, Salem Al-spectacular Dawsari's winning goal on Tuesday will go down in World Cup legend.
The team under Herve Renard dazzled with their daring style of play, employing a perilously high and aggressive line and breaking the offside trap ten times.
Hassan Al Tambakti gave a valiant effort in the centre of defense, while Mohamed Kanno performed nearly flawlessly in the middle as the enforcer of the midfield.
With three points already in hand, a win today would put them in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since 1994.
Poland team news
Krystian Bielik and Bartosz Bereszynski of Poland were both confirmed by the manager to have been suffering from injuries since Tuesday, but both should be well and available here.
There is a chance that, with the team in dire need of points, Arkadiusz Milik will be added right away as additional firepower.
Saudi Arabia team news
Yasser Al-Shahrani, a full-back for Saudi Arabia, is said to have been flown home from the World Cup after undergoing successful jaw surgery as a result of a horrific collision with his own goalkeeper late in Tuesday's historic victory.
Mohammed Al-Burayk will probably start the game, in a side that is otherwise very similar to the one that shocked the footballing world just four days ago.
Poland possible starting lineup
Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski; Szymanski, Krychowiak; Kaminski, Zielinski, Zalewski; Lewandowski
Saudi Arabia possible starting lineup
Al-Owais; Al-Burayk, Al-Boleahi, Al Tambakti, Abdulhamid; Al Malki, Kanno, Al-Abed; Al Dawsari, Al-Shehiri, Al Buraikan
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