Wojciech Szczesny has been hailed as one of the best penalty specialists in the world by Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer after he denied Lionel Messi from the spot against Argentina on Wednesday evening.
The Poland shot-stopper was deemed to have fouled the Argentinian playmaker after catching him in the face with a soft glove as the attacker headed an effort off-target.
Messi had the chance to score his sixth consecutive international goal – a feat never achieved by the star – as he placed the ball on the spot and the chance to put Argentina in front with top spot in group c at the World Cup up for grabs.
Wojciech Szczesny dived to deny Lionel Messi from the penalty spot against Argentina
Penalty-taker Messi (blue) puts his head into the ground as he rues his missed chance
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Szczesny refused to be beaten however as he guessed the correct direction to get a strong hand to Messi’s well-struck shot.
Speaking at half-time, Shearer, Ferdinand, and former Argentina and Man City defender Pablo Zabaleta all praised the individual efforts of the Juventus goalkeeper.
Messi was clearly aggrieved after missing from the penalty spot as he was denied a sixth consecutive international goal
Alan Shearer (left) and Rio Ferdinand (right) both applauded Szczesny’ stunning stop
‘Szczesny is one of the best penalty keepers in the world.
Goalkeepers and coaches will be analysing him,’ said Ferdinand on BBC One.
Zabaleta echoed similar sentiments despite being gutted that Argentina has wasted a golden opportunity, commenting: TRAVESTIS RJ ‘Credit to him because it’s a great save.
He has been really good at this World Cup, great goalkeeper for Poland.
Premier League all-time top goalscorer and England legend Shearer labelled Sczezny’s stop as a ‘really good save’.
The Poland goalkeeper was cheered on by his teammates after making the great save
Sczezny guesses the correct decision and gets a strong hand to Messi’s left-footed strike
The 32-year-old’s latest acrobatic antics between the sticks come just days after he saved another penalty against Saudi Arabia, highlighting the goalkeeper’s incredible form in pressure-cooker situations.
Szczesny blocked Salem Al-Dawsari’s powerful strike before remaining alert to get a hand to Mohammed Al Burayk’s rebound effort.
