Szczesny makes unreal double penalty save for Poland vs Saudi Arabia
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Wojciech Szczesny preserved Poland’s lead over Saudi Arabia with a superb double penalty save at the World Cup in Qatar. The Juventus goalkeeper kept out Salem Al-Dawsari’s effort before tipping Mohammed Al Burayk’s rebound over the bar.
Saudi Arabia had dominated the early parts of the match at the Education City Stadium. They were looking to make it two wins from two and qualify for the knockout stage after their huge upset victory over Argentina earlier in the week.
However, Poland scored against the run of play, with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski roofing a shot after good work from Robert Lewandowski. Poland thought they were going to head into half-time in the lead but VAR had other ideas.
On review, Krystian Bielik was adjudged to have tripped Saleh Al Shehri. But Szczesny was on hand to pull off two wonderful stops to keep his side ahead.
Al-Dawsari first saw his low penalty to the goalkeeper’s right kept out. Al Burayk had the opportunity to put in the rebound but Szczesny got back onto his feet and somehow kept out his powerful effort.
The former Arsenal No 1 got a slight touch to tip the strike over the bar and out for a corner. Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin was in awe of Szczesny’s work.
Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “What a save that is from the rebound by Szczesny. That is utterly brilliant – a world-class save.”
Former England forward Eni Aluko was on punditry duty for ITV and spoke glowingly of Szczesny at half-time. She said: “I think it’s a poor penalty but look at this double save from Szczesny.
“That is world class goalkeeping, this is what goalkeepers train for. He doesn’t have to do much [with the initial penalty] but look at this, this is an incredible save, tips it over the bar.
“And you see, it’s almost as good as a goal, the Polish celebrations from the penalty, it’s like they’ve scored a goal.”
However, Nevin was far from convinced the penalty should have been awarded in the first place. He feels referee Wilton Sampaio should have stayed with his initial decision.
Nevin said: “That is disgraceful. There are seven or eight angles that show there was no touch – but one of them makes it look worse than it is.
“That’s soft. That’s mega-soft. He’s dragged his left foot back to try to get contact. The referee’s looked at it from the weirdest angle they could find.
“It’s as if the VAR tried to give it. Saudi Arabia have deserved a break for the way they’ve played, though.”
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