Midfielder Piotr Zielinski gave Poland a 1-0 lead against Saudi Arabia in the first half of a heated World Cup Group C clash at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Robert Lewandowski found unmarked Zielinski in the box who struck home in the 40th minute. The Saudis had a chance to level in stoppage time but Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved both a spot kick by Salem Al-Dawsari and the follow-up.

Duke Header Gives Australia Lead Against Tunisia

Before flying to Qatar, Australia’s Mitchell Duke had promised to dedicate a goal at the World Cup to his son, and the striker duly delivered when he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their second Group D match on Saturday.

Australia has its first win on the World Cup stage in 12 years, and the party is only starting in downtown Sydney.

mitchell-duke
mitchell-duke

The 31-year-old reeled away in celebration holding up his hands in the shape of the letter « J » for his son Jaxson as his teammates embraced him near the corner flag.

« I spoke to my son when I got selected for the World Cup. As a striker you need that belief and confidence you’re going to score in every match, » he told reporters.

« I told my son I was going to share it with him, the gesture is the letter J. It’s a moment I’m going to treasure for the rest of my life.

« The moment I scored was pure ecstasy for me. I’d heard only seven Australians had scored at the World Cup and I told Arnie (coach Graham Arnold) I’d be the eighth – or ninth. »

The victory moved Australia up to second in the standings on three points ahead of the other game between group toppers France and Denmark.

Pulse