"Spawns at every World Cup and becomes Prime Casillas" "The World Cup King" - Football fans in awe of 'iconic' Guillermo Ochoa's stunning display in Mexico 0-0 Poland

Fans have taken to social media to heap praise on Guillermo Ochoa after he impressed for Mexico in their 2022 FIFA World Cup opener against Poland.

Mexico took to the field to play their first group-stage match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup today (November 22). They locked horns with Poland at Stadium 974 in Qatar to kick off their campaign.

El Tri went into the match against Poland looking to get their campaign off to a winning start. However, the game ultimately ended 0-0 although they boasted 61% possession and registered four shots on target in the evening.

Poland notably had the opportunity to find the back of the net and claim the three points. The Eagles were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute of the match after Robert Lewandowski was fouled in the box.

The Barcelona superstar, though, failed to capitalize on the situation as he had his penalty saved by Ochoa. The striker struck the ball low to his right, but the Mexico goalkeeper was equal to it.

Poland thus missed their chance to get their FIFA World Cup campaign off to a winning start. Ochoa, on the other hand, became the star for Mexico once again as his heroics earned the side a point.

It is worth noting that the 37-year-old is participating in his fifth FIFA World Cup. He remarkably shot to fame after helping El Tri hold Brazil to a 0-0 draw in the 2014 edition of the tournament and has since been a cult hero.

The veteran's performance in goal for Mexico today did not go unnoticed as many fans took to Twitter to laud him:

Ochoa's Mexico face Argentina in their next FIFA World Cup

While Mexico would have preferred to win against Poland, they will look to build on the draw in their next match. They are scheduled to face Argentina in their second group-stage match of the tournament on Saturday (November 26).

Argentina will notably go into the match on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. Gerardo Martino's side will nevertheless be hopeful that Ochoa is on song against La Albiceleste.

El Tri will then face Saudi Arabia in their third and final group-stage game on November 30. They will be hopeful of progressing into the knockout phase of the competition.

About the author

Dakir is a European and Indian football journalist at Sportskeeda with an overall experience of 10 years. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and currently pursuing Master’s in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University, he is a seasoned football journalist who has interviewed the likes of former Liverpool star John Arne Riise, covered the entire 2022-23 Indian Super League season of the Kerala Blasters, and has delivered a seminar at an international conference held by St. Albert's College, Ernakulam.

Thanks to his extensive academic background in journalism, Dakir understands the importance of accuracy and spends a significant amount of time researching the subject. In today’s data-driven world of football, where players are perceived as machines, he prides himself amplify the voices of the people that make football the beautiful game that it is.

He started following football in 2013, and more specifically, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, and admires Jurgen Klopp for his untouched charisma and unmatched legacy. A perpetual underdog supporter, he is a fan of under-fire Reds forward Darwin Nunez and can’t wait for him to show the world what he truly is. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s iconic “corner taken quickly” corner assist for Divock Origi in Liverpool’s 4-0 UCL semifinal win over Barcelona left a lasting impact on him.

When not writing, Dakir enjoys indulging in his guilty pleasure - watching mass commercial movies.

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