Curious penalty bet between Messi and Szczesny

Argentina could have taken the lead against Poland with a penalty in the first half. However, Lionel Messi was denied by Wojciech Szczesny. The two had previously made a curious bet about the penalty kick.

In the end, things turned out well for both Argentina and Poland. Despite the South Americans’ 2-0 victory, both national teams were able to advance to the round of 16 of the World Cup.

But that wasn’t clear during the game, which is why the penalty, which Lionel Messi didn’t have to convert in the 39th minute, was initially much more explosive.

Even more curious than the fact that the superstar failed at Wojciech Szczesny is the course of the penalty kick. After a cross, the keeper wanted to extend the ball and thus steer it over the Argentine attackers. However, he didn’t hit the ball – but Messi did. While the ball was still within the field, the goalkeeper fell with his outstretched hand on the face of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Szczesny lost curious penalty bet against Messi

And from that very scene, a curious bet emerged. Referee Danny Makkelie was initially unable to identify any criminal offenses. However, the VAR advised him to better watch the action again.

Szczesny was so sure there would be no penalty that he offered Messi a bet. He reported to TV2 sports: “I said to him: ‘I bet 100 euros that he won’t give the penalty.’ So I lost a bet against Messi.”

“I don’t know if that’s allowed at a World Cup. I think I’ll probably be banned, but I don’t care,” he laughed about the lost bet afterwards. Getting into the World Cup finals should have improved the mood despite the defeat.

The Poland keeper doesn’t want to redeem the betting debt, as he revealed: “I won’t pay him the money either. He doesn’t care about the 100 euros.”

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This article was originally published on 90min.de as.