Robert Lewandowski's World Cup record: Goal vs Saudi Arabia sees Poland and Barcelona striker break his streak

Dominic Booth

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Robert Lewandowski's World Cup record: Goal vs Saudi Arabia sees Poland and Barcelona striker break his streak image

Robert Lewandowski finally banished his World Cup demons in Poland's 2-0 Group C victory over Saudi Arabia in Qatar.

Pouncing on a mistake from defender Abdulelah Al-Malki, Lewandowski showed his trademark composure in front of goal to coolly slot home and wheel away in celebration.

Not only had he secured his nation's first win of this World Cup — throwing the group wide open in the process, with Argentina and Mexico also both in the hunt for last-16 qualification — he had broken a personal drought that was beginning to hang over him.

The Barcelona striker had never scored at the tournament before, despite boasting an enviable club record over the past decade for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and the Spanish giants — and having scored at three separate European Championships (2012, 2016 and 2020).

Here, The Sporting News takes a look at Lewandowski's record in World Cups, and the reaction to his drought breaking strike against Saudi Arabia.

MORE: Poland 2-0 Saudi Arabia highlights and report as Lewandowski scores in win

Has Robert Lewandowski ever scored at the World Cup?

Until recently, no. Lewandowski had famously gone nearly five games for Poland at World Cups — first the 2018 tournament in Russia, and then in the opening match in Qatar this year — without finding the net.

He failed to score in all three group matches four years ago, as Poland were sent home before they could qualify for the last 16.

But then in the dying embers of their match with Saudi Arabia at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Nov. 26, that all changed, and the striker showed his emotion in celebrating the goal.

How many World Cups has Lewandowski played at?

Lewandowski is playing at his second World Cup, having played three games in the 2018 edition of the tournament, without finding the net.

Poland finished bottom of a group that contained Colombia, Senegal and Japan, and earned just three points. He'll hope to play more than three games this time around.

Lewandowski's first World Cup goal

He's scored 77 international goals, making him by far Poland's greatest-ever goalscorer, but his lack of strikes in a World Cup had started to become a stick with which to beat the 34-year-old.

Lewandowski was clearly emotional after his strike. 

He will now hope to use the goal against Saudi Arabia as a springboard, with Poland eyeing qualification to the last 16, if they can get a positive result against Argentina in their final group match.

WATCH LEWANDOWSKI'S STRIKE IN THE USA

WATCH LEWANDOWSKI'S STRIKE IN THE UK

WATCH LEWANDOWSKI'S STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

World Cup  fixtures for Poland

Date Match Time (ET)
Tues, Nov. 22 Argentina 1 S. Arabia 2 Highlights
Tues, Nov. 22 Mexico 0 Poland 0 Highlights
Sat, Nov. 26 Poland 2 S. Arabia 0 Highlights
Sat, Nov. 26 Argentina 2 Mexico 0 Highlights
Wed, Nov. 30 Poland 0 Argentina 2 Highlights
Wed, Nov. 30 S. Arabia 1 Mexico 2 Highlights
Sun, Dec 4 France 3, Poland 1 Highlights

Dominic Booth

Dominic Booth Photo

Dominic joined the Sporting News in November 2022, initially working on our World Cup coverage as a freelance sub editor. He was previously a sport content editor and Man United writer at the Manchester Evening News and is a regular at both Old Traffords, football and cricket.