It was billed as a conflict between two of the best strikers on the planet: Lionel Messi v Robert Lewandowski. And as Argentina beat Poland 2-0 to safe high spot in Group C and a spot within the World Cup knock-out part, to play Australia, there was just one winner. For as soon as, Messi was not the Albiceleste’s match-winner — he even missed a first-half penalty — however Argentina nonetheless danced to the beat of his drum. “I am offended at lacking that penalty however the crew got here out stronger after my mistake. We knew that when the primary objective went in it could change the sport,” mentioned Messi.
Watch: Lionel Messi Misses Penalty In Essential World Cup Match vs Poland
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Lewandowski, for his half, by no means received into the sport, a mirror picture of his unusually subdued and passive team-mates, who sat again from the primary whistle and infrequently examined Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. At one level deep into stoppage time, the 2 captains and stars of their groups went face-to-face, with Messi on the ball.
The remainder of his efficiency was insipid, however this time at the least Lewandowski confirmed dogged dedication to not be overwhelmed by Messi, and fouled him. Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz blamed Lewandowski’s poor displaying on the facet’s lacklustre efficiency.
“I am not attacking in any manner my crew however they did not assist him or assist him to attain,” mentioned the coach. “If Messi had performed with us and Robert Lewandowski with Argentina, he would have scored 5 objectives.”
Regardless of the chastening night, there was some solace for the Polish star — Mexico’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia within the different match in Group C meant Poland sneaked into the final 16 as runners-up on objective distinction. They’ll face defending France subsequent, a frightening activity.
Messi and Lewnadowski have been each all smiles on the finish and embraced warmly. The Argentine simply had the higher hand in a sport the South Individuals dominated from begin to end and was concerned in a very powerful — and contentious — second of the opening 45 minutes.
Messi was adjudged to have been fouled by Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny when difficult for a header within the space. The referee initially didn’t award the spot-kick however modified his thoughts after a VAR intervention, a lot to the delight of the massed ranks of Argentina followers, and the shock of many.
Szczesny dived to his left and batted away Messi’s spot-kick with an enormous proper paw.
Penalty save
It was Messi’s thirty first missed penalty. Messi had been within the thick of issues early on, forcing Szczesny into two easy saves inside the primary 10 minutes.
He was additionally recurrently concerned in Argentina’s build-up play as they dominated each possession and territory. Lewandowski, then again, was an remoted determine on his personal up entrance, crowded out at any time when he acquired the ball, which was uncommon.
Messi was not concerned in Argentina’s two objectives however took the sport to Poland within the second half, and twice drove into the realm solely to see his shot blocked by a determined last-ditched tackler. And the seven-time world participant of the 12 months may have sealed the win 20 minutes from time however Szczesny received down nicely to dam his weak shot from simply contained in the field.
He then put Julian Alvarez, scorer of Argentina’s second objective, away however the Manchester Metropolis ahead blasted his shot into the side-netting. It was not Messi’s finest or most influential night, however he gained this battle fingers down and his World Cup dream lives on.
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