Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny continued his impressive form in the 2022 Qatar World Cup by denying Lionel Messi from the penalty spot in their final group stage game. The Poland international recovered from conceding the spot-kick with a smart save to deny the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Szczesny has played in all three of Poland's World Cup group games this month, keeping two clean sheets. However, Czeslaw Michniewicz's side face elimination from the tournament with them facing Argentina in their final game.
Poland were looking to qualify for the last 16 by avoiding defeat, and could even ensure their place in the knockout rounds even with a loss, depending on the goal swing between Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
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After denying Salem Al-Dawsari in Saturday's 2-0 win, Szczesny was the spot-kick hero again with a brilliant save to deny Messi. The Juventus goalkeeper was penalised for colliding with Messi in the 37th minute after a lengthy VAR check but remained focused to push Messi's attempt away.
The missed spot-kick was Messi's 31st missed penalty of his career, and his first since Thibaut Courtois denied him back in February. It was also his first missed penalty for Argentina since November 2019. After the goalkeeper's heroics, Arsenal supporters took to social media to applaud their former shot-stopper. Here's what some of them have had to say...
@kris_afc: Great save Szczesny. Shades of David Seaman against Sampdoria.
@eddscicluna: Pains me seeing Szczesny light it up on the national stage but I will always love that nutcase
@afcDW: Hearing Szczesny saved another penalty? What a man
@Prince_AFC10: Szczesny is different gravy
@AFCMush: Szczesny having the tournament of his life. Wow
@AFCQvist: Szczesny might be POTT this year! Insane group stage from him
@gtham14_afc: Szczesny what a guy btw
@FouadAFC: Szczesny. Game of his career. He's one of our own!
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