Gary Lineker and pundits left 'astounded' by Robert Lewandowski's stuttering penalty technique

Gary Lineker and his punditry team were left 'astounded' by Robert Lewandowski's penalty technique in Poland's 3-1 World Cup defeat to France.

Poland were given the chance of a consolation in the dying embers of their last-16 elimination at the hands of France, after they were awarded a penalty following Dayot Upamecano's handball.

Lewandowski stepped up, and performed a stuttering run-up to try and fool Hugo Lloris in the French goal. The spot kick was then saved, only for the referee to order a retake after Lloris was penalised for coming off his line.

Once again, Lewandowski stuttered in his run-up to the penalty and this time got the better of Lloris, to net his 78th goal for his country, and give Poland some scant consolation for the game.

Speaking in the studio Gary Lineker was shocked by the way Lewandowski took the spot kicks and it prompted a discussion on whether it was was a way of making Lloris come off his line.

Lineker said: 'The technique of Lewandowski astounded us. There's part of me thinking: 'Is he doing it deliberately to make the keeper come off the line, so if he does miss, then he gets another go?' Possibly overthinking. It happened twice, and both times he hit the penalty, Lloris was off the line.'

Former Tottenham boss Pochettino agreed with Lineker's point but stated Lewandowski's style was a way the Barca star takes his spot-kicks.

He said: 'Maybe. He takes penalties in this way. It's a technique.'

Pochettino's response only encouraged Lineker's point, and his dismay at the way Lewandowski didn't just stutter, but linger to let the goalie move.

He added. 'We've seen people check and stop, but not actually linger with your right foot in the air before you strike it!'

Former French star Georges wasn't happy with the way the 34-year-old slotted the ball away, and questioned if stuttering in a run-up should be allowed.

'Every goalkeeper studies the best forwards'. Said Georges.

'I'm surprised, usually the referee doesn't accept this type of goal. I'm not sure if you have the right to stop, because it makes so much uncertainty.'

Pochettino was pleased with Lloris' reaction to the goal. The Tottenham goalie, who played under the Argentinian in North London, was visibly annoyed at having conceded and to the way Lewandowski converted the penalty.

He said: 'I like the reaction of Lloris. He was really, really upset.'

Adding, as Lineker agreed by saying Lloris 'look miffed': 'Of course. 3-0, then the last minute. Clean sheet, of course. Under pressure, Lewandowski takes it in this way.'

Lewandowski's goal means he now has two for his country in World Cup finals, in what is likely to be his last World Cup tournament.