Giddam. The Saudi word loosely translated means no retreat in the upcoming mission and heading forward with determination.

The Saudi Arabia football federation launched Giddam as a visual identity for the Qatar World Cup. After the Argentina win, Giddam seems to have become the symbol for their football team and its fans.

The road that led to the Education City Centre Stadium where Saudi Arabia played Poland in the Group C game on Saturday, was packed with their fans. A mere 10-kilometre distance from the Qatar National Convention Centre to the venue took almost one hour and 20 minutes.

Hundreds of fans were walking, singing and dancing to the stadium. Inside the stadium it was like a festival.

Poland will be poleaxed was the mood. The script did not go the way the Saudi Arabia fans would have loved to. Piotr Zielinski struck a right-footed volley in the 39th minute and then Robert Lewandowski got his first World Cup goal in the 83rd minute. This was his fifth World Cup and he had missed a penalty against Mexico.

The 2-0 victory helped Poland to climb to the top of the points table with four points while the Saudis remained on three points.

In the first minute of the first-half injury time with the scoreline reading 1-0, Krystian Bielik fouled Saleh Alshehri inside the box. The referee awarded penalty after the VAR intervention. The stadium erupted in joy. Salem Aldawsari missed the penalty, old guard Szczesny, the Poland goalkeeper, saved his attempt and off the rebound Mohammed Alburayek sent it into the stands.

Aldawsari, who scored the second goal against Argentina, could not believe himself. Teammates hugged Szczesny, the Poles remained in the mix. The stands fell silent.

Poland, a relatively young team with some senior players like Lewandowski and Szczesny, were rattled by the atmosphere conceding three yellow cards within 19 minutes. Saudi Arabia missed chances early on, then Poland’s Krystian Bielik saw Ali Albulayhi making a goalline save off his header.

The second half had more drama with Saudis missing quite a few chances. Aldawsari’s attempt was saved by Szczesny and Feras Albrikan shot went wide. The Saudis in the stands started getting restless and on the other side Abdulelah Almalki lost control of a mundane pass. Lewandowski was lurking around and scored past an onrushing goalkeeper. The jinx broken, an emotional Lewandowski slumped to the ground.