Former Arsenal goalkeeper and Premier League shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny has been labelled the best goalkeeper at the Qatar World Cup on the back of his outstanding performances for Poland, via Metaratings.
Talk about a mixed day at the office.
Lionel Messi, during Argentina’s final group-stage clash with Poland on Wednesday, missed a penalty but found himself £100 up.
“We spoke before the penalty and I told him I’d bet him £100 that (the referee) he wasn’t going to give (the penalty). So I’ve lost a bet against Messi,” Szczesny smiled after the game (TV2 Sport).
“I don’t know if that’s allowed at the World Cup. I’m probably going to be banned for it! I don’t care right now.”
Fear not Poland supporters; Szczesny will be standing tall between the sticks once again during Sunday’s last-16 clash with France. And Czeslaw Michniewicz’s rather uninspiring side will need another goalkeeping masterclass from the Juventus glovesman when Kylian Mbappe and co come to town.
Not that France are taking their last-16 clash with Poland for granted. Not with the World Cup’s most in-form glovesman standing between Didier Deschamps’ team and the quarter-finals.
“Who takes penalties is very clear for us. But I will not give Szczesny any info. He’s already good enough!” Les Bleus forward Antoine Griezmann quips, via ESPN. “Let’s keep it a surprise.”
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny shining for Poland at the Qatar World Cup
Szczesny, when parrying away Messi’s effort from 12 yards in midweek, became the first goalkeeper since Brad Friedel in 2002 to save two different spot-kicks at the same World Cup.
His remarkable reaction stop to keep out Saudi Arabia’s follow up effort earlier in the group stage, meanwhile, is an early frontrunner for the ‘Save of the Tournament’ award.
“Of all the goalkeepers at the World Cup, I like the goalkeeper of the Polish national team Wojciech Szczesny the most,” says Nigmatullin, who started all of Russia’s three games in South Korea and Japan 20 years ago.
“He saved two penalties, made a huge number of saves. Of course, it is he who is the main character of the Polish national team. Who have gone further (in the tournament) despite not the most impressive performances.
“There are much more interesting teams that have already gone home. But Poland has a super goalkeeper.”
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