Robert Lewandowski

Lionel Messi holds many records, including an inglorious one: no player before him missed two penalties in normal playing time at a World Cup.

“The strength of this team is that everyone who comes in delivers,” said Messi. “We’ve taken another step.”

Three things we noticed at Stadium 974.

1.) Szczesny is in the World Cup team

Wojciech Szczesny has been unlucky in the recent tournament history of the Polish national team: At the 2012 home European Championship he was sent off in the first group game against Greece in a 1-1 draw, at the European Championship 2016 he was injured in the first game against Northern Ireland (1-0 ). The World Cup in Russia two years later didn’t go much better either, after two defeats against Senegal (1:2) and Colombia (0:3) Poland was already out.

So Szczesny had to be 32 years old before he could experience a good tournament. “Good” is almost an understatement: the goalkeeper is the main reason why Poland can call itself a World Cup knockout round again in 2022 after 36 years.

After four saved shots on goal against Mexico (0-0) and five and saved penalties against Saudi Arabia (2-0), there were nine against Argentina – including a penalty from Lionel Messi (39th). Szczesny is the first goalkeeper to save two penalties in normal playing time at a World Cup – and then expressed himself very modestly.

“I’m actually not a penalty killer,” he said in an interview with “MagentaTV”: “There was a bit of luck involved. I picked the right corner and helped the team, I’m happy about that.”

Messi (7) and Julián Álvarez (6) together fired 13 shots at the Polish goal, but mostly found their master in the Juventus keeper. The fact that he himself caused the penalty against Messi was only a minor blemish – the decision of referee Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) was rather questionable.

So there was no mistake in the end: it was Szczesny’s credit that the score was “only” 2-0 at the final whistle and that Poland made it through to the round of 16 thanks to a goal difference over Mexico. “We’re flying to Warsaw today without him,” said Bundesliga goalkeeper Rafal Giekiewicz (FC Augsburg) on ​​”ZDF”.

He doesn’t necessarily want to have to parry a penalty again. “I saved two, that has to be enough. We shouldn’t count on that,” he said. However, if he continues to do so well, he is a candidate for the eleven of the tournament.

2.) Argentina’s youngsters steal the show from Messi

In the summer, two boys from Club Atlético River Plate, Enzo Fernández (21) and Julián Álvarez (22), set out to conquer Europe; Midfielder Fernández joined Benfica in Lisbon, while attacker Álvarez joined Manchester City – with considerable success already.

The two made it 2-0 against Poland with a dream combination: Fernández refined his dynamic attack with a precisely timed pass between two Poles through to his teammate, Álvarez processed the ball well and threw it humorlessly into the top right corner (67th). – this secured the group victory for Argentina.

If you add the 1-0 (46th) game, in which the three 24-year-olds Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina and Alexis Mac Allister had their feet in the game, five of the six youngest players in Argentina’s squad gave their scent mark against Poland away.

“We just stuck with it,” said Brighton pro Mac Allister about the Argentinians’ mature style of play. “We let the ball run well, we were calm when passing. We played a great game.”

“The fans give us all their love here,” said Álvarez: “It’s a great moment for me, for the whole country. Of course I’m very happy about that.”

In a way, Argentina’s young guard stole the show from the old master Lionel Messi, who had failed with his penalty against Szczesny (39th). It would be completely wrong to assume that the PSG star was performing poorly.

Messi played very well for the team, fired the most shots (7), set up the most shots on goal (5), had the most ball actions in the opponent’s penalty area (13), played the second most balls after Rodrigo De Paul (52). into the attacking third (48), showed the most successful dribbles (4) and led the most tackles on the field (14). “He was great today,” said 2014 world champion Per Mertesacker on “ZDF”.

“I’m angry because I missed the penalty but the team was even stronger after my mistake,” said the 35-year-old, who missed a penalty against Iceland in 2018.

3.) Lewandowski alone on the floor

You could feel a little sorry for Robert Lewandowski at times. The former FC Bayern Munich striker was cut off from supplies in Poland’s attack for almost the entire season. The 34-year-old could completely forget about being played near the penalty area; the center forward of FC Barcelona therefore kept moving into midfield and onto the wings in order to collect at least a few ball actions (in the end at least 36) – his heat map was more like a horseshoe.

“If Lewandowski were playing for Argentina he would have scored five goals today,” said Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz of the lack of support for his goalscorer. Lewandowski only got the ball once in the Argentine penalty area. He failed to get a shot on target; no Pole at all Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez fired something at the gloves – the Aston Villa keeper remained completely unemployed.

However, it was also noticeable that Lewandowski played little or not at all in the defensive game. What is often interpreted as a penalty for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi was apparently part of the plan for the Poles. Lewandowski should simply not run into the pass paths and put Argentines in the shadow of cover. Maybe a ball would have fallen in front of his feet (but he didn’t).

It was unfortunate in some situations, however, in which Romero in particular, who was already making life difficult for Lewandowski with his rock-hard defensive actions, was able to march into Poland’s half with the ball at his feet because he simply wasn’t approached – like before 1 :0.

After the well-deserved bankruptcy, Lewandowski did not look unhappy. “For the first time in my life I’m satisfied after a defeat,” he said and was pleased: “For us, this is a great success after so many years.” The fact that another tournament favorite was waiting with France was not really avoidable.

Lewandowski took it sporty: “It will be a big challenge for us. We didn’t play a perfect game, but if we analyze it well and prepare well, we can improve and also have fun against France. We just try to step on the gas. And then we’ll see what happens.”

While one point would have been enough for leaders Poland (four points) to advance, Argentina (three points) were under pressure and needed a win to reach the round of 16.

Coach Czeslaw Michniewicz made a change in Poland’s starting line-up after beating Saudi Arabia 2-0. Karol Swiderski replaced Akadiusz Milik in attack alongside Robert Lewandowski.

Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni made three substitutions after beating Mexico 2-0. Cristian Romero defended for Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez replaced Guido Rodriguez in defensive midfield. Manchester City star Julián Álvarez made a comeback for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

The game in the first half developed as expected given the group constellation. While the Poles got off to a brave start with a shot on goal by Krystian Bielik, the Europeans were increasingly busy with defensive work as the game progressed (5′).

Argentina dominated the game and recorded two shots from Lionel Messi in the first quarter of an hour, which Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny threw out (7′, 11′). The multiple world footballer then shone as a chance preparer for Marcos Acuña, who missed two fine lob assists from Messi from a tight angle (17th, 19th). The white-reds mainly closed the center, so Argentina acted a lot on the wings.

The Selección didn’t take their foot off the accelerator and missed a double chance through Álvarez and Acuña (28′). A little later, Álvarez failed again in a one-on-one against Szczesny and shortly afterwards Messi missed the greatest chance of the first half with a controversial penalty kick against the Polish goalkeeper (36′, 39′).

In the second round, the Albiceleste got off to a good start. Alexis Mac Allister got the deserved lead with a low shot from Nahuel Molina (46′). Poland just missed Kamil Glik’s direct response with a header (49′).

Poland tried more offensive action in the second half, but Argentina remained dangerous as they had more space. Álvarez and Mac Allister again missed good chances and Messi’s attempt also got stuck in the Polish chain (56th, 61st, 64th).

Messi and Co. kept control of the game and converted their superiority into the second goal. Álvarez flicked the ball into the gable after a great pass from Enzo Fernandez (67′). Shortly thereafter, the youngster missed his brace (73rd).

Although Mexico led 2-0 in the parallel encounter and put pressure on Poland from afar, Lewandowski and his team-mates continued to rely on the defensive, which Messi and his teammates repeatedly overcame. Shortly before the end, substitute Lautaro Martinez and Nicolas Tagliafico again missed the third goal (86′, 90’+3′). In the end, the result was enough for both teams to qualify for the round of 16, as Mexico conceded the 2-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the parallel game.

The voices:

Lionel Messi (Argentina): “The previous game gave us a lot of calm and we went out thinking we had to win. I’m angry because I missed the penalty, but the team was even stronger after my mistake. We knew that first goal would change the game. We have to keep calm and take it game by game. Now another World Cup is starting and hopefully we can continue what we did today.”

Julián Álvarez (Argentinian): “I’m happy personally and happy for the team. We played a great game and achieved our goal, that was the most important thing.”

Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina): “I’m happy because it was a convincing performance. We were always looking for the goal. I think we’re back to the team we were before. We played more with the ball, we were calm and didn’t hesitate. We have a great one match played.”

Robert Lewandowski (Poland): “It’s a big win for us. The next game against France is a challenge. We didn’t play so well today, but we can improve, have fun and push ourselves until the next game.”

Wojciech Szczesny (Poland): “It wasn’t so nice, it was a long evening for us, but it ended well.”

Tweet about the game:

That was noticeable: offensive beats defensive

Argentina withstood the pressure and presented the Poles in the style of a top team. The Albiceleste dominated the game and recorded a huge plus in the shot on goal comparison. After Szczesny was able to save the red-whites in the first half, coach Michniewicz’s team’s defensive approach didn’t pay off. Still, it was enough to get ahead.

The stats: 2

Poland goalkeeper Szczesny saved his team the zero, especially in the first half, with outstanding saves and a saved penalty against Messi. It was his second saved penalty in a row in the current tournament.