Prior to Argentina forward Lionel Messi missing a penalty during his team’s 2-0 World Cup victory at Stadium 974 in Qatar, Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said he lost a $100 wager with the Argentinean.
The 2021 Copa America champions, who will now play Australia in the Round of 16 on Saturday, were able to secure victory and top spot in Group C with two goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
In addition, Poland advanced to the round of 16 despite losing to Argentina after defeating Mexico on goal differential on Sunday to secure a matchup with the defending world champions France.
For Poland to beat Mexico on goal differential, Szczesny’s penalty save from Messi would eventually be essential. The Juventus goalkeeper, who was found to have elbowed Messi in the face while attempting to catch an aerial ball ,was shocked by the official’s decision to give the penalty kick.
Szczesny said that he made a wager with Messi that the referee would deny the penalty claims after Makkelie watched the incident on VAR before awarding the penalty.
Both Wojciech Szczesny and Lionel Messi eventually advanced to the World Cup round of 16. via Getty Images, Adam Pretty – FIFA/FIFA
Szczesny said to TV2, “We chatted before the penalty and I would have bet him €100 that he [the referee] wasn’t going to give it.” “I therefore lost a wager against Messi.
“I’m not sure if that is permitted at the World Cup; I’ll probably get but I don’t care right now.
“I’m not going to pay him either — he doesn’t care about €100 I think he has enough.”
For Szczesny, it was his second penalty save of the World Cup after denying Salem Al-Dawsari in Poland’s 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
“I was fortunate twice this competition,” he told RAI Sport. “It’s a great moment in the career of a player, the World Cup is the maximum and this is special.
“There’s a bit of work that goes into it, too, but in order to save a Messi penalty, you need some luck as well.”
In the race for the World Cup Golden Boot, Messi was denied the opportunity to tie Marcus Rashford, Kylian Mbappe, Cody Gakpo, and Enner Valencia on three goals after failing to convert from the penalty spot.
After converting a penalty against Saudi Arabia and another goal against Mexico, the Paris Saint-Germain player has two goals