Lionel Messi will hope this isn’t the defining moment of his final World Cup.
But with Argentina’s passage out of the group stage less than completely secure, the little magician couldn’t convert from the penalty spot on 38 minutes against Poland on Wednesday afternoon. Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny played the hero during the entire first half, but none more than this moment, falling to his left and stopping the shot.
Szczesny is the third keeper since 1966 to save two penalties at one World Cup tournament with the others being Brad Friedel in 2002 for the USA and Jan Tomaszewski in 1974, also for Poland.
Argentina spent much of the first half threatening the Polish goal, but the Poles stood fast, knowing that they would advance with a mere draw. Such a result would leave Argentina anxiously watching the score of Saudi Arabia-Mexico to learn their fate.
The Argentines did break through in the opening minute of the second half on a goal by Alexis Mac Allister to take a 1-0 lead.
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With all the pressure on Messi for this tournament, the Argentine team suffered a shock loss to the Saudis in the opening round of the group stage, calling into question their status as favorites.
Still, they are considered quite dangerous, should they manage to get through.
