Szczesny: “I Lost A Bet With Messi Over Penalty”

Before Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed a penalty during his team’s 2-0 victory in their final Group C match, Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny admitted he lost a $100 bet with him.

After the failed attempt, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez scored to give Albiceleste the victory.

Argentina will now face Australia on Saturday in the Round of 16.

Poland advanced ahead of Mexico on goals difference thanks to Szczesny’s crucial save of Messi’s penalty attempt.

Danny Makkelie, the referee, decided that Szczesny had intentionally struck Messi in the face with his arm and gave the penalty.

Before issuing the penalty, Makkelie assessed the event on the pitchside VAR monitor. Szczesny bet with Messi because he was so certain that the referee would not award the goal.

“We had a conversation before to the penalty, and I offered a €100 wager that the referee wouldn’t award it.

“I guess I lost my wager against Messi. I’m not sure whether it is permitted during the World Cup. I’ll probably get blacklisted as a result! But at this time, I don’t care.

“I’m also not going to pay him. He is unconcerned about the $100. He has enough, in my opinion,” Szczesny told TV2.

It was Szczesny’s second World Cup penalty save; the first came in Poland’s 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia when he stopped Salem Al-Dawsari.