It’s a Hollywood showdown – a larger-than-life goalkeeper stares deep into the eyes of a notorious goalscorer. It’s Guillermo Ochoa against Robert Lewandowski. It’s Mexico against Poland.Even though he’s been in goal for the Mexican national team since 2005, the legend of Ochoa started in 2014. Playing against hosts Brazil in the World Cup, the Mexican goalkeeper delivered one of the most memorable performances ever seen by any custodian. He says people are still approaching him in the streets to tell him how amazing his show was.Guillermo Ochoa vs Brazil 🇧🇷 (2014)pic.twitter.com/30YmBNAmGj— Omar Aref 🇦🇪 (@LosB1ancos_) November 20, 2022 Ochoa made six saves in the scoreless draw with Brazil, which was among the favourites as the tournament’s host. He even denied Brazilian star Neymar on a header and afterwards called it the “game of a lifetime.”Now a 37-year-old veteran, Ochoa is proud of the day that he became an instant worldwide star. And even though most football fans have only ever watched him then and the World Cup four years later in Russia, seeing the curly-haired goalie seems like a holiday. It’s International Ochoa Day, everybody! The Club America keeper is enjoying his status as a cult hero.”I feel really grateful to be recognized globally. That means I have done some good work.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6834176##Ochoa is joined by fellow old-timers Alfredo Talavera, a 40-year-old backup goalkeeper and midfielder Andres Guardado, who is 36. Guardado and Ochoa now hold the rare distinction of being the first teammates to play together in five straight World Cups. Both debuted with the Mexican national team on 14 December 2005 in a friendly way with Hungary. Who would have thought that both of them would be gearing up for their fifth World Cup 17 years later?”I think that by being in my fifth World Cup I am lucky. On top of that, being in a World Cup is never easy for a footballer. There are great players throughout history who don’t have the opportunity. For me, playing in five has been wonderful.”Mexico’s Ochoa is loving his time in Qatar so far 🥳🇲🇽😂(via @yosoy8a) pic.twitter.com/Zl0DZjV0iv— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 19, 2022 Ochoa will have the tough task of stopping Lewandowski this evening. The Pole is one of the best strikers ever, he has scored more than 600 goals for club and country, but to this day – he has never scored in the World Cup. He has a point to make and is determined to shine in what will almost certainly be his last such tournament. Poland last made it out of the group stage four decades ago, in the 1982 tournament. They failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 tournaments. In 2018, they lost their opening two matches and ended their participation before it really started.This won’t be just the International Ochoa Day or the Day Lewandowski Broke His World Cup Duck. There is an actual match here – one that both national teams will feel they should win. Maxican gk guillermo ochoa is currently among 4 players to appear in 5th fifa wc. He had been superb in 2018 wc let’s see if he would be able to repeat it or not. Poland’s main man is their striker Lewandowski… pic.twitter.com/oOTPVy8fav— پرنس آف ڈھمپ (@The_x2_) November 22, 2022 Apart from Ochoa, El Tri will rely on Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez to provide a rhythm to their team. Veteran Guardado and Carlos Rodriguez will also play in the midfield, while Napoli attacker Hirving Lozano will lead the front three also featuring Alexis Vega and Henry Martin.The Poles will try to keep the Central Americans at bay with a trio of centre-backs in Jan Bedranek, Kamil Glik and Jakub Kiwior, with flying wingbacks Matty Cash and Nicola Zalewski on either flank. Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski is the team’s main creator, expected to create a few chances for Lewa to finish off.An unbeatable goalie and a goal-hungry attacker? Yeah, you’ve got our attention.WORLD CUPGroup stageTuesday, Nov 22nd13:00: (1.18) Argentina (7.25) Saudi Arabia (15.0) C16:00: (1.45) Denmark (4.20) Tunisia (8.00) D19:00: (2.75) Mexico (2.95) Poland (2.85) C22:00: (1.25) France (6.25) Australia (11.0) D****odds are subject to change##SPECIAL_STANDINGS_Group C##
