Mexico drew 0-0 against Polandthis Tuesday in the first day of group C of the World Cup, in a duel in which the goalkeeper “Memo” Ochoa was decisive, who saved a penalty shot by Robert Lewandowski.
With this result, the key is led by the “Cinderella” Saudi Arabia, which gave the big blow in the World Cup by beating Argentina 2-1, followed by Mexico and Poland.
At Stadium 974, in front of 40,000 spectators, practically a green tide of Tri fans, “Memo” extended his World Cup legend with a save against the Barcelona star.
Everything could swing in minute 54. Lewandowski received in the area and took out oil. He disputed a ball with Héctor Moreno, who ended up knocking him down and the referee signaled a penalty after consulting the VAR.
The Barcelona forward did not open his locker in the World Cups because he found himself with a great stretch from Ochoa.
Alexis Vega and Chucky threatened
In a tough duel, Mexico elaborated, proposed and used its resources well, with Luis Chávez and Alexis Vega on a powerful left flank of the attack and Chucky getting by as best he could on the right.
Del Tri were practically all the times, with Héctor Moreno (5) finishing off a cross from the left high.
Then the other Héctor, Herrera, broke into the same band and his temperate center finished him off with Alexis Vega’s shoulder. The ball came out licking one of the posts (26).
Mexico seemed to find the way and Luis Chávez masterfully served space for Jesús Gallardo to get tangled up with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The left back was about to win (28).
In the absence of work, Ochoa, with the captain’s armband in his fifth World Cup, took advantage of when he circulated the ball to ask his team to calm down, especially anxious in the early stages.
Good defensive display
Poland, whose coach Czeslaw Michniewicz had already warned that his team’s game was based on practicality, tried to arrive with a ball or a combination, as the moment demanded.
But the objective was clear, for Lewandowski to receive as close to the area as possible. El Tri had studied the lesson well and drowned the Barcelona star, with the help of Héctor Herrera, who descended a few meters to help his rear.
At the edge of the break the game was completely Mexican. “Ole Ole!” could be heard in the stands while Gerardo Martino’s group closed in on the European team with fast and precise circulation.
Szczesny signed his first save of a certain level (45) in a powerful shot from Jorge Sánchez.
El Tri went into the break with more possession, more precision in passing and more shots than Poland, but without hitting the mark.
After the penalty saved by Ochoa, the Mexican players resumed the conquest, driven by their own, who shouted “Memo, Memo!” And if you can!”.
In the last half hour, Edson Álvarez had the best chance with a shot that Henry Martín combed. Szczesny (63) responded well.
Martino brought on Raúl Jiménez, Carlos Rodríguez and Uriel Antuno to shake up El Tri, who was left without a prize for the good game they signed.
