Sports
Lionel Messi missed a crucial spot-kick against Poland in the final Group C game of FIFA World Cup 2022 and was subsequently trolled by fans.
Updated : Dec 01, 2022, 01:56 AM IST | Edited by : Amrit Santlani
Lionel Messi's Argentina squared off against Poland in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group C fixture with both teams needing a win to qualify for the round of 16. Messi's side was handed a golden opportunity to get their noses in front however, the former Barcelona forward missed a penalty and thus the match remained goal-less.
There was a lot of debate about whether the penalty should have been awarded or not in the first place, with many former footballers, including Jamie Carragher were of the opinion that it should not have been given a penalty.
The referee was told by his fellow officials to take a look at the coming together between Poland's goalie Wojciech Szczesny and Messi after which the Argentinian talisman was left clattered on the floor.
After a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot and up stepped Messi, but Szczesny redeemed himself, making a stunning save, which proved to be the second consecutive penalty he saved, earlier, denying Ecuador from the spot as well.
After Messi's penalty was saved, 'Pessi' started to trend on Twitter was the Argentine skipper was brutally trolled by fans.
Check how fans reacted to Messi's missed penalty:
"Relax guys, it's just Pessi." pic.twitter.com/fvgCIahyQB
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) November 30, 2022
Messi will be the reason to knock out Argentina from the World Cup! What a legend!!
— (@abdallah_rm11) November 30, 2022
Szczesny watching Messi on the Penalty pic.twitter.com/qetL2CwaGQ
— Tackle From Behind (@tacklefromb) November 30, 2022
No wonder Messi fans are obsessed with excluding penalties, their GOAT can’t score them
— Trey (@UTDTrey) November 30, 2022
Lionel Messi is the first player ever to have two penalties saved in the World Cup! pic.twitter.com/RLbQbAs7Qy
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 30, 2022
*Ronaldo scores Penalty*
— CR7 (@theCR7en) November 30, 2022
"Penaldo"
"Scoring penalties are easy"
Meanwhile Messi: pic.twitter.com/0fyXNf7zfT
Messi after seeing Saudi Arabia bottom of the grouppic.twitter.com/CFkmkEKtlk
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) November 30, 2022
Thankfully, Messi's side didn't have to wait too long as they were put into the lead shortly after the restart as Alexis Mac Allister scored from close range to give Argentina the lead against Poland.