Wojciech Szczesny bet Lionel Messi €100 VAR wouldn't award a penalty (Image: GETTY/TV2 Sport)
Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he lost a €100 bet with Lionel Messi that was placed mid-match during Poland's tense Group C final showdown with Argentina in Qatar. The former Arsenal shot-stopper went from zero to hero when he denied the Paris Saint-Germain superstar from the spot after VAR adjudged him to have fouled the 35-year-old attacker.
With the scores level at 0-0 in the first half, the ball was floated to the back post where Messi managed to head it (wide) before being touched by the glove of Szczesny.
Before a lengthy VAR check, Szczesny decided to make a bet with Messi that it would not be given as a penalty - placing down money he is now refusing to pay after saving the spot-kick brilliantly.
"We spoke before the penalty, I told him I can bet him €100 that he wasn't going to give it," said Szczesny after the match in the mixed zone.
"So I've lost a bet against Messi. I don't know if that's even allowed at the World Cup.
VAR gave a penalty for the foul on Lionel Messi (Image: Getty)
Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved (Image: Getty)
"I'm probably going to get banned for it. But I don't care right now. I'm not going to pay him either!"
"No no, he doesn't care about €100, come on." The reporter then asked Szczesny if Messi has enough money, to which he replied: "He has enough, yeah, yeah. I think so."
Despite finishing level on point with Mexico, Poland qualified for the last 16 on goal difference by the skin of their teeth.
Deep into stoppage time, Poland were initially in second place on disciplinary points (for having fewer yellow cards than Mexico) before Salem Aldawsari netted in the 95th minute to pull one back for Saudi Arabia against Mexico.
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