Lionel Messi's penalty miss against Poland could be evidence that Argentina are going to win the World Cup, according to an omen spotted by fans.
Having been controversially awarded a spot kick in the 39th minute of Wednesday's match, Messi saw his effort well saved by Polish stopper Wojciech Szczesny.
At the time it had looked as though the miss could be crucial, with Argentina desperate to progress having lost their opening match of the group in shock fashion to Saudi Arabia.
But they rallied in the second half and ultimately ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Premier League due Alexis Mac Allister, of Brighton, and Julian Alvarez, the Manchester City forward.
Messi was relieved that his miss didn't cost his nation in what is almost certain to be his last World Cup, but supporters in Argentina have now spotted a pattern that is making them hopeful of success in Qatar.
That's because during both of Argentina's previous two World Cup wins, they missed a penalty in their third game of the tournament.
In 1978, when Argentina hosted the World Cup, forward Mario Kempes missed from the spot in the third and final group game against Italy in Buenos Aires. Argentina ended up losing the match 1-0 to finish second in the group.
However Kempes would go on to win the Golden Boot at the tournament, scoring twice in the final as Argentina beat the Netherlands 3-1, again in Buenos Aires.
Fast forward to eight years later in Mexico in 1986, and Argentina idol Diego Maradona failed from the spot in a group stage clash with Bulgaria in Mexico City, again Argentina's third match of the group stages, which they went on to win 2-0 anyway.
The miss hardly affected Maradona though, and he went on to star at the tournament, including scoring twice against England in the semi-finals before delivering a superb display in the final as Argentina beat West Germany 3-2.
So can Messi follow suit?
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was more relieved than jubilant after the game, and already has his sights set on Saturday's last-16 clash with Australia.
"I was really frustrated to miss the penalty because I knew a goal could’ve changed the whole match,” said Messi after the game.
"But I think it made the team come out stronger. It was a big match and we’re happy that we’ve achieved our objective of finishing top of the group after starting with the defeat to Saudi Arabia.
"After the first goal, everything went our way.
"We did what we’d been trying to do since the start of the tournament. That gives us confidence for the future.
"I’m tired but it’s the same for everyone. Tomorrow we will rest and prepare for the next game."
