You’d by no means know his workforce simply misplaced an important World Cup recreation 2-0 to Argentina.

But Poland scraped into the knockout phases of the match, regardless of Wednesday’s loss to the South American champions, after Salem Aldawsari’s stoppage-time aim for Saudi Arabia in a 2-1 defeat to Mexico.

That late aim ensured Poland completed as runner-up in Group C, forward of Mexico on aim distinction, to arrange a final 16 recreation towards France on Sunday.

“You can say it’s a happy defeat,” stated Lewandowski, who didn’t actually have a shot on track. “I’m not happy with the way we played. Of course not. We can’t be happy with the game itself.”

Poland had been totally outplayed by Argentina with Lewandowski an ineffective remoted determine as his workforce was pegged again during the sport. Argentina had 24 makes an attempt at aim, 13 on track. Poland had three, none on track.

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, left, interacts with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on the finish of the World Cup group C soccer match between Poland and Argentina on the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

“We didn’t want to take any risk and, you know, we achieved our result because we reached the next round,” Lewandowski stated with a smile. “Even though we lost, we can be happy.”

Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz stated his workforce’s lack of attacking risk wasn’t Lewandowski’s fault.

“I’m not attacking anyone from the team, but we didn’t help him to score,” Michniewicz stated. “If (Lionel) Messi played for us and Robert played for Argentina, Robert would have scored five goals. Robert needed to get assistance and the match was played in our half. There were so many players covering him.”

Poland had goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to thank for a string of saves — together with a first-half penalty from Messi — and Karol Swiderski for a goal-line clearance that prevented a heavier defeat.

Yet Poland’s gamers celebrated like they’d received, spraying one another with water bottles on the sphere.

It had been an anxious wait.

Poland’s recreation completed however Mexico was main Saudi Arabia 2-0 and desperately pushing for the third aim that will have been sufficient to progress at Poland’s expense.

Both Poland and Mexico had 4 factors, with two objectives scored and two objectives conceded every at that second. Poland solely had the sting by having fewer yellow playing cards than Mexico’s gamers.

Poland defender Bartosz Bereszynski coated his face. He couldn’t bear the stress.

Then Aldawsari scored for Saudi Arabia to finish Mexico’s hopes.

“I guess it’s the first time I felt you can be happy after a loss,” Lewandowski stated.

The Poland star is already looking forward to Sunday’s recreation towards France.

“It’s another favorite to win the world championship and we’ve nothing to lose,” he stated. “We know what kind of players they have but we have to enjoy it and do our best. We have to fight … France will be a huge challenge and we have to play better than today.”

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