Wojeiech Szczęsny was the first half hero for Poland as the Juventus goalkeeper made a double save off a penalty in stoppage time of their match against Saudi Arabia at the FIFA World Cup.
Just six minutes earlier, Piotr Zielinski put Poland in the lead but after Saudi Arabia won a penalty, it was a reminder of their comeback win against Argentina on Wednesday. The penalty itself originally wasn’t called but once the referee went to VAR and saw Krystian Bielik clip the ankle of Saleh Al-Shehri. It could be argued that there wasn’t enough contact to warrant a penalty but the referee felt it was enough to overturn his original call.
Hopes for a Saudi Arabia equalizer didn’t come in the first half though as Szczęsny stepped up and stopped Salem Al-Dawsari’s penalty. Almost immediately, Szczęsny got up and got another save and kept the Saudis scoreless heading into halftime.
DOUBLE SAVE
Wojciech Szczęsny comes up HUGE for Poland 💪😤 pic.twitter.com/tjPxgcN6S9
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
Szczęsny’s double save was impressive and keeps Poland in the match as a win would put them in the group lead. Many were impressed by Szczęsny’s save and his overall penalty saving prowess.
Wojciech Szczęsny has now saved a penalty in the following competitions:
◉ League One
◉ Premier League
◉ Champions League
◉ Serie A
◉ Supercoppa
◉ World CupAnd he backed it up with a follow-up.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/F3cJe4vAKh
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 26, 2022
That double save from Szczesny against Saudi Arabia 😳 pic.twitter.com/NgVioLq11Y
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) November 26, 2022
📸 – SZCZESNY HAS SAVED THE PENALTY AND THE REBOUND AS WELL!!!! pic.twitter.com/Npv44eYV0Y
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) November 26, 2022
Poland were hyped after Wojciech Szczesny saved the penalty AND the follow-up 🧱 pic.twitter.com/RI80ckAHhN
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 26, 2022
Szczesny is one of the best facing spotkicks. Recall him making a brilliant save for Arsenal against Udinese in a Champions League qualifier. The save from the follow-up there was even better than the penalty save. #POLKSA
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 26, 2022
Szczesny's really going to enjoy his post-match ciggy in the shower if Poland hold on here
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 26, 2022
That is an incredible double save from Szczesny, didn't realise at first that he got a hand to the rebound 👏🏻
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) November 26, 2022
Incredible double save from Szczesny!
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) November 26, 2022
Wojciech Szczęsny has now saved a penalty in the following competitions:
◉ League One
◉ Premier League
◉ Champions League
◉ Serie A
◉ Supercoppa
◉ World CupAnd he backed it up with a follow-up.#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0qDKFodiW1
— DANI APP (@_DaniApp10) November 26, 2022