Cult World Cup hero Guillermo Ochoa added to his legendary status, saving Robert Lewandowski in Poland’s game against Mexico.
Some players take on the biggest stage in football in the best possible way and there is no doubt that Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa is the epitome of that.
We don’t talk much about the American goalkeeper during the four years between each World Cup, but when the tournament comes, comes the man.
On Tuesday night, the 37-year-old started the match against Poland, as part of the two teams’ first Group C match.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2mclsQcZLg
The first half was relatively quiet, but the game came alive in the 55th minute when Barcelona striker Lewandowski battled with Hector Moreno in the box.
After VAR intervened, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, giving the Polish striker the chance to score his first World Cup goal, but Ochoa was there to stop him, diving low land on his left.
The officials’ decision to award the penalty kick looked rather harsh, with both Lewandowski and Moreno battling it out.
Play initially looked set to continue, with the field referee not awarding the penalty kick, but the video assistant referee felt it had to be watched.
Usually when a referee looks at the screen it means the decision will be overturned, but earlier in the day in Denmark’s draw against Tunisia this was not the case.
However, things returned to normal as it was decided that Lewandowski’s shirt pulling was enough to give Poland their best chance to score.
After going scoreless in the 2018 tournament, it was the perfect opportunity for the former Bayern Munich man to end his slump in the tournament, but it didn’t.
Instead, it was Ochoa’s chance to shine again, having previously played in the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 tournaments for his country.
At 37, he is surely coming to the end of his career, but he will surely be looking to compete in another World Cup.
Although we are only at the start of the competition, no one can blame the former Standard de Liège number one for having his eyes set on 2026, when Mexico will host the tournament alongside the United States. and Canada.
This competition being played in winter, Ochoa only has three and a half years to wait, we hope he will be in the group!
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