Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz felt for his star player Robert Lewandowski who failed to convert a penalty in their 0-0 draw with Mexico on Tuesday but believes the experienced striker will come good at the World Cup.
Lewandowski missed a penalty - and his chance to finally claim a World Cup tournament goal - in a match that left Saudi Arabia as the early leaders of Group C after their shock win over Argentina.
"These things happen," Michniewicz told a news conference. "Great players haven't been scoring at great tournaments for as long I can remember. Zico, Socrates, Platini, Maradona - from those championships I remember - but also many other great footballers."
This seems of little consolation, however, as the 34-year-old Lewandowski, likely playing at his second and last World Cup, missed one of his best chances to score on football's biggest stage.
"You could see he was feeling down about the situation, it was all fresh," Michniewicz said.
"We had a screen in the dressing-room that showed replays from the match and, among other situations, the penalty kick. Robert looked at it, analysed it.
"I told him I felt very sorry for him, because I know what a captain feels when he doesn't score in a match that doesn't end in a win."
Lewandowski himself tried to stay positive.
"The decision was to strike to the side," he told TVP Sport. "Today it didn't work out, so it hurts, but we have to look to the next match - to win and get three points.
"It was an even match. We will respect this point, but on the other hand it's a shame, because we had a penalty kick. At this point it hurts."
Poland and Lewandowski will bid for their first World Cup goal in the next game against Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1
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Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia, front, celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal in their 2-1 victory against Argentina during the 2022 World Cup at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. EPA -
Saudi Arabia celebrate their second goal by Salem Al Dawsari against Argentina at the Lusail Stadium. AFP -
Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari after scoring his side's second goal. AP -
Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts during the match against Saudi Arabia. Getty -
Saudi Arabia's Saleh Al Shehri, left, celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Argentina. AFP -
Crowd attendance is shown on a giant screen at the Lusail Stadium. Getty -
Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais saves a shot from Argentina. AP -
Saudi Arabia's Nawaf Al Abid fights for the ball with Argentina's Enzo Fernandez. Reuters -
Saleh Al Shehri, right, scores his team's opening goal. EPA -
Angel Di Maria of Argentina looked stunned. Getty -
Lionel Messi after scoring the first goal. AFP
