Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has claimed he knew the place Lionel Messi would shoot after he saved his penalty on the World Cup.
- Szczesny saved Messi penalty
- Helped Poland to final 16
- Claims he knew the place Messi would strike
WHAT HAPPENED? With Argentina piling on the strain of their last group recreation towards Poland, they had been awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances in the course of the first half. VAR adjudged Szczesny to have fouled Messi by making contact when coming for a cross, however he saved the ensuing spot-kick in great style to disclaim the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
WHAT HE SAID: Talking after the match to TVP, the Juventus stopper defined his viewpoint on the incident: “I instantly advised the referee that I touched him (Messi) with my hand within the face, however I solely hit him on the facet of his face. I advised him there was contact however I do not assume there’s a penalty. The referee determined in any other case and that is high quality – I bought to indicate off.
“Now I can say that I knew the place Messi would shoot, however on the time I wasn’t so certain. Leo appears on the keeper on some penalties and hits laborious on others,” he added. “I knew that if he was going to hit laborious, it will be extra to my left. I noticed that he was not stopping, so I went, I sensed, I defended. I am completely satisfied as a result of that penalty gave one thing ultimately. Very massive satisfaction. I owed it to the crew.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE:
Astoundingly, his high quality effort to paw away Messi’s spot kick means Szczesny has now already saved two penalties on the 2022 World Cup. And whereas it wasn’t sufficient to encourage Poland to victory on the evening, it proved essential in guaranteeing they made it out of Group C and into the final 16.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
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WHAT NEXT FOR POLAND? Because of Szczesny’s heroics – and a few drama elsewhere in Group C within the match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico – Poland have booked a date within the final 16 with defending champions France.
