Mexico vs Poland LIVE: World Cup 2022 result and final score after Robert Lewandowski misses penalty
Mexico 0-0 Poland: Lewandowski was denied by Guillermo Ochoa in the crucial moment of the match to leave Group C wide open
Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty as Poland and Mexico played out a goalless draw in Group C of the World Cup in Qatar.
Mexico dominated the first half but could not break the deadlock at Stadium 974, with Poland’s star striker Lewandowski cutting a frustrated figure.
But the Barcelona forward was handed a golden opportunity in the second half when he was fouled in the box, only to see his penalty saved by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
With Saudi Arabia stunning Argentina in the opening game, it leaves Group C wide open ahead of the second round of fixtures. Mexico will play Argentina next while Poland face Saudi Arabia.
Follow all the reaction from Stadium 974 with our live blog below:
France 0-0 Australia
2 mins: Early glimpses of Dembele and Mbappe’s talent.
Dembele sears past his man on France’s right flank, then clips a deep cross to Mbappe, who twists one way then shimmies the other to get into the Australia box.
France win a corner, which Mbappe takes, but it’s headed clear.
France 0-0 Australia
Kick-off: We’re under way!
France’s world title defence begins here!
France vs Australia
No Benzema, no Pogba, no Kante – all are injured.
Let’s see how a still-formidable France fare in their absence.
France vs Australia
Australia’s anthem plays; kick-off is just moments away!
Don’t go anywhere.
France vs Australia
T-minus 15 minutes until kick-off!
A reminder of the starting XIs:
France: Lloris, Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, L Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.
Australia: Ryan, Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Mooy, Goodwin, McGree, Irvine, Leckie, Duke.
France vs Australia
“Take Karim Benzema out of the Real Madrid side last season and it is entirely uncontroversial to suggest they would not have won La Liga or the Champions League; not without his 44 goals in 46 games. Remove him from the France team and there is a case to say their chances of winning the World Cup are greater.
“It is an argument based on history rather than individual quality, admittedly: French history, in particular. The peculiarity of their two triumphant campaigns is that neither contained a goal from the main No 9. Benzema scored three goals in 2014 and France exited in the quarter-finals. Stephane Guivarc’h failed to score in 1998 – indeed he ended his international career with a lone goal – and France won the World Cup. Olivier Giroud did not even muster a shot on target in 2018, yet he was the selfless foil as Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe scored four times apiece. Glory went to France.”
Here’s another great piece from Richard Jolly: He makes the case for France’s chances of lifting the trophy being better without the injured Benzema...
Could Karim Benzema’s absence improve France’s World Cup chances?
Neither of Les Bleus’ two World Cup triumphs contained a goal from their main striker at the time
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