Why has Lewandowski struggled to score at the World Cup?

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Lewandowski's World Cup Scoring Drought Continues

Robert Lewandowski has yet to score a goal in a FIFA World Cup, a streak that continued during Poland's opening match against Mexico in the 2022 tournament. The Barcelona striker, who has an impressive record for both club and country, has been unable to find the net on the global stage. This lack of World Cup success contrasts sharply with his prolific scoring for Poland, where he is the nation's record scorer with 76 goals, and his recent form for his club, having netted 18 times in 19 appearances for Barcelona.
Missed Penalty Against Mexico Amplifies Frustration

The most recent instance of Lewandowski's World Cup struggles occurred in the match against Mexico, where he was awarded a second-half penalty. Despite winning the spot-kick, his effort was saved by veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. This missed opportunity was particularly poignant given Lewandowski's stated desire to score his first World Cup goal, a dream he admitted would be a "huge dream" to fulfil. The striker himself acknowledged the personal disappointment, stating that not scoring "sure hurts" and describing the penalty as a "lottery."
Historical Context of World Cup Goal Drought

Lewandowski's goalscoring absence at the World Cup is not a new phenomenon. In the 2018 tournament, he also failed to score in any of Poland's three group stage matches as the team was eliminated. This historical pattern highlights a persistent challenge for the striker in translating his considerable goalscoring prowess to the World Cup stage. His career statistics reveal a stark difference, with over 300 goals for Bayern Munich and his strong recent scoring record for Barcelona, underscoring the unique difficulty he has faced in this particular competition.
Coach's Sympathy Amidst Tactical Considerations

Poland's coach, Czeslaw Michniewicz, expressed sympathy for Lewandowski following the missed penalty against Mexico. He acknowledged the emotional impact on the player and noted that while Lewandowski trains penalties consistently, the outcome in a match can be unpredictable. Michniewicz also alluded to the team's tactical approach, which sometimes saw Lewandowski isolated due to a conservative defensive strategy. Despite the missed opportunity, the coach remains hopeful that Lewandowski will find his scoring touch in subsequent matches, emphasizing his importance to the team's overall performance in the tournament.

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Why has Lewandowski struggled to score at the World Cup?

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