Wojciech Szczesny has revealed a bet with Lionel Messi that he said took place during Wednesday’s World Cup showdown between Poland and Argentina.
The match at Doha’s Stadium 974 was crucial for both sides, with all four nations in Group C - also including Mexico and Saudi Arabia, who faced off in Lusail - still capable of reaching the last-16 with one round of fixtures to go.
As it was, Messi-inspired Argentina thoroughly outplayed Poland and emerged with a comfortable 2-0 victory courtesy of second-half goals from Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, sealing top spot and a first knockout tie with Group D runners-up Australia in Al Rayyan on Saturday evening.
However, it was far from doom and gloom for the Poles despite an insipid defeat, with Robert Lewandowski and Co also progressing in second place after pipping Mexico on goal difference thanks to Saudi Arabia’s stoppage-time effort in a 2-1 defeat, with Poland having been heading through anyway courtesy of a cleaner Fair Play record and fewer yellow cards accumulated than El Tri.
Despite their dominance, Argentina had spurned a glorious opportunity to take a narrow lead into half-time on Wednesday, having been very fortunate to be awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Szczesny brushed Messi’s face with his glove after the six-time Ballon d’Or winner had leapt to send a difficult header from a cross well wide of the back post.
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie did not point to the spot initially, but later changed his mind after being told by the VAR to consult the pitchside monitor and watch the footage in slow motion.
The decision was slammed as “outrageous” and “disgraceful” by fans and pundits alike, with many feeling that justice was done after Szczesny repelled Messi’s 12-yard effort with a fine one-handed save low to his left.
A jubilant Szczesny revealed after the full-time whistle that he had lost a bet with Messi after the penalty was awarded and did not intend to pay up.
“We spoke before the penalty, I told him I can bet him €100 that he wasn’t going to give it. So I’ve lost a bet against Messi,” he said in the post-match mixed zone.
He further joked: “I don’t know if that’s allowed at the World Cup. I’m probably going to get banned for it. I don’t care right now.
“I’m not going to pay him either. He doesn’t care about €100, come on.”
