Saudi Arabia train for Lewandowski test at World Cup - in pictures

Herve Renard's team take on Poland on Saturday with qualification to next round within reach

• 

  Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard leads a training session at the Sealine Training Site in Doha on the eve of their 2022 World Cup match against Poland. AFP

• 

  Saudi Arabia's French coach Herve Renard (3R) heads a training session at the Sealine Training Site in Sealine, south of Doha, on November 25, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Poland and Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

• 

  Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard oversees training on Friday. AFP

• 

  Saudi Arabia's Nasser Al Dawsari, Sami Al Najei and teammates attend a training session at the Sealine Training Site. AFP

• 

  Saudi Arabia at the Sealine Training Site in Qatar. AFP

• 

  Saudi Arabia's players train for Saturday's match against Poland. AFP

• 

  From left: Saudi Arabia's Mohamed Kanno, Ali Al Hassan, Abdulellah Al Malki and Hassan Al Tambakti during training. AFP

• 

  Abdulelah Alamri, Mohamed Kanno, Nawaf Al Abed and Saleh Al Shehri train on Friday. AFP

• 

  Saudi Arabi Hatan Babhir and teammates attend a training session at the Sealine Training Site. AFP

After shocking Lionel Messi’s Argentina in one of the biggest World Cup upsets, the task won't get any easier for Saudi Arabia as they prepare to take on Robert Lewandowski and his Poland team on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia are the second lowest-ranked team in the tournament but now harbour hopes of booking a spot in the second round with another remarkable win.

“We will work even harder than in the previous match,” midfielder Sami Al Najei promised. “Everyone knows that the next match is more important than the previous one.”

“It [Saudia Arabia’s 2-1 win over Argentina] was an excellent match for us. We were able to show an excellent image for the Saudi Arabia national team,” Saleh Al Shehri, one of the goal-scorers. “But it is just three points, we haven’t qualified yet.”

Meanwhile, Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz stressed that the draw against Mexico, which left Poland second in Group C, is behind them and the team is calmly preparing for their game against surprise leaders Saudi Arabia.

"We have clear heads because we have closed this subject," Michniewicz said. "We don't succumb to pressure, whether someone would like us to play with one lineup or another.

"We know what we can do better, what we need to do better, and what worked well. Then the result is always an open question."

• 

  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