When the referee goes over the check the monitor during a World Cup match, there is always tension in the air. That was certainly the case during Poland's final group game with Argentina in Qatar.
With the scores at nil-nil, during the first half of a showdown both teams were desperate to win, the match official went to review a potential foul from Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on Argentina star Lionel Messi.
It was a tight call, with Argentina fans believing Messi received an unlawful blow to the face as he rose to meet a header, and Poland fans adamant their 'keeper was merely doing his job. As the stadium held its breath, the two protagonists in the saga were gambling on the outcome of the VAR call, according to Szczesny.
"We spoke before the penalty and I told would bet him €100 that he [referee] wasn't going to give it," Szczesny told TV2 after the game – the penalty was eventually given.
"So I've lost a bet against Messi," Szczesny joked. "I don't know if that's allowed at the World Cup -- I'm probably going to get banned for it! But I don't care right now. I'm not going to pay him either -- he doesn't care about €100 I think he has enough.''
Szczesny saved the penalty in a game his side went on to lose 2-0. In doing so, Szczesny became the first goalkeeper since Brad Friedel of the United States in 2002 to save two penalties in the same World Cup.
The 32-year-old also stopped an effort from Salem Al-Dawsari in Poland’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, making it two spot kick saves in two games.
"I was fortunate twice this competition," he later told RAI Sport. "It's a great moment in the career of a player, the World Cup is the maximum and this is special. There's a bit of work that goes into it, too, but in order to save a Messi penalty, you need some luck as well."
Hopefully the Poland gloveman doesn't get into any trouble over his comments. But FFT believes he should at least be a man of his word and pay up.
