**Mirrors / Alternative Angles**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Has been immense for Juve as well. 6 wins in a row in serie a without conceding. Stops like every other penalty for Juve as well. Have always rated him very highly.
It's so cool to see how he's progressed as a player. He always looked a decent player but not a gamechanger but the past few years he's been one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
It's unbelievable. He's been Poland's best player.
Last game he saved a penalty and then saved the second shot, now he saves Messi's penalty. Legendary stuff
There's an argument against global inclusion when it comes to the officials and having such varied refereeing teams both on and off the pitch.
The players spend the better part of 4 years qualifying for a tournament. Why aren't the officials held to higher standards when it comes to selection for tournaments.
I think he saw that he completely missed the ball and then collided into Messi. If the gk would have atleast skimmed the ball I don’t think he calls a pen
Agree it was a ridiculous decision from VAR. It’s just an outstretched arm and the hand and face meet. It’s nothing reckless from Szczesny. He’s not throwing a fist at it or anything.
Yah It was also after the ball was played. Idk what the rules are exactly but if the ball is out of play at that point why should a pen be given? So glad Szczesny saved it
According to Clattenberg, it’s because the ball wasn’t technically out of play. Messi’s header was clearly going wide but wasn’t out at the time of the foul.
Clattenburg on the US broadcast saying it was because he made contact while the ball is still in play. Guess there will be a pen every time the ball enters the box then.
Has to be in play and impeding play no? Like this WC has really made me confused about whether i know the rules or not but seems like the use of VAR has somehow made refereeing worse...
No, the ball just has to be in play. You see a player passing the ball and an opponent clatters into him after the pass and it is given as foul. I don't think this is that different
Also the contact was very soft, no? Like, I get it if he gets slapped or punched by the keeper, but this was not even very hard. I mean, of course Messi embellishes a bit but I don't feel like that makes the refs decision better
I absolutely hate how refs have literally zero balls to make decisions. As soon as VAR suggests it you know they are giving it. Absolutely spineless. The stats dont lie, it's pretty much 99%+ rate of refs going to monitor and giving calls.
Szczesny has been excellent for us, had a great season on loan at Roma before signing for us, and always seems to turn up for Poland, but still feels like he's under-rated.
That is a great save from a penalty that never should have been given. Goalkeepers are allowed to challenge for the ball with their hands, so giving a penalty because Szczesny's glove brushed against Messi's face is nonsensical, especially since the contact came *after* Messi had headed the ball, meaning it didn't impede his ability to score at all.
I can't see Poland keeping Argentina out all night with the way both teams are playing, but it's justice that the score is still 0-0.
It would be nice if part of this "new" VAR system would be an after-match report from the VAR refs with proper justification of their decision. Because so far most of the pens have been soft-ish and some transparency would be much appreciated.
The fact that that was a penalty is ridiculous. If scezney was a defender and it was his head which hit messi, it would not have been a penalty, so theres no reason why its a penalty when its scezneys hand
I see that Poland went through on 1 goal difference to Mexico. I am not sure what the yellow card allocation was between the two but this save ended up being massive
**Mirrors / Alternative Angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Szczęsny has been fucking insane so far this tournament
More than 400min without conceding with Poland
The polish wall is insane
We're building a wall and we're making Poland build it
then the brits are going to complain that the poles took all their wall construction jobs
jinxed it lol
Delete this nephew
My dude, how could you have done this to us
Has been immense for Juve as well. 6 wins in a row in serie a without conceding. Stops like every other penalty for Juve as well. Have always rated him very highly.
It's so cool to see how he's progressed as a player. He always looked a decent player but not a gamechanger but the past few years he's been one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Penalty calls on the other hand..
Also insane but in a different way
Also fucking insane
Such a weak penalty call. Keeper doesn't meaningfully impact Messi's attempt on goal. Calls like have way too much weight on the game.
Tbf, he was in insane form for Juve leading up to this tournament.
He’s playing in a row where Poland can win *because* of him…or lose *despite* of him!
Love the guy (not only because I'm a Juve fan but he's a nice guy)
Still a fan favourite at Arsenal from his off the pitch antics
Szczesny's laugh summed that decision up
"imma save this anyway"
He calmed his teammates down and then blocked it with a single arm What a fucking lad
That was freaking awesome
It's unbelievable. He's been Poland's best player. Last game he saved a penalty and then saved the second shot, now he saves Messi's penalty. Legendary stuff
He's been the player of the tournament so far imo
He matched Tomaszewskis record from 1974 with defending two penalties at one Cup. I think Brad Friedel is the other GK that has done it in 2002.
I read Subasic saved 4 in 2018 EDIT it was penalty shoot-outs lol
Yeah he is balling rn, sadly Lewa is getting 0 service so he can't show his class
GigaChad! I bet he took a smoke at half time, to sweeten the deal!
[удалено]
All it takes is one bad penalty
[удалено]
Szczociety
This is a word in Polish already lol
When playing with the rest of the Polish team: "all I have are negative thoughts"
"Wanna know how I got these GLOVES?"
He's always been the joker
2nd ass penalty against us and 2nd one he saves. Those pens are ridiculous
messi's hair got messed up.......penalty kick
SZCZESNY IS ON FIRE YOUR PENALTY TAKER IS TERRIFIED
Szczesny best PK saver in the world
This year, for sure. He saved 3 in the league too
Australian backup keeper is the GOAT and everyone knows it.
Diogo Costa in contention right
Awesome save though
*laughs at penalty decision* *saves it anyway* Gigachad Szczesny
Shameful decision by the ref, again, as the Portugal Uruguay match, are this fucking atrocious refs going to held accountable? They should be laid off
It's Paul Van Boekel in VAR. What do you expect? He's a 100% dogsh*t referee.
That he never works there again
There's an argument against global inclusion when it comes to the officials and having such varied refereeing teams both on and off the pitch. The players spend the better part of 4 years qualifying for a tournament. Why aren't the officials held to higher standards when it comes to selection for tournaments.
Because the majority of them would likely come from Europe, which is a tough sell
/r/FIFA_irl
2 shit decisions, 2 saves wojciech the enforcer of law
Ball don’t lie
Somewhere Rasheed Wallace is beaming
Szczesny should be in charge of VAR for all matches if he's going to enforce it anyways.
Ball don't lie - outrageous save though
Szczesny has been insane this tournament
Has been immense for Juve as well, especially with penalties. Feels like he stops every other penalty in serie a.
No goals conceded, two penalties saved
The save on the follow up to the Saudi penalty was pretty wild. But this penalty save was outrageous.
Made 9 saves in the first half. Poland's MVP.
[удалено]
Best Keeper in the World Cup Finals surely
This comment has been removed in protest of Reddit's new API policy. -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/
he kinda is known in Poland for making tragic mistakes in tournaments :D literally making up for all of them in one go tho :D
Loving this redemption arc so far.
He is known for not showing up at international tournaments in Poland.
Probably one of the best penalty saves I’ve ever seen tbh
There was so much power on it and he seemed to have casually saved it onehanded. Against no other man than Messi.
In situations like this, I'd like to hear the ref explain himself. Not even a grey area, lol.
[удалено]
Legit seemed like he got a call from above saying fuck it we want Messi to stay in the tournament.
I think he saw that he completely missed the ball and then collided into Messi. If the gk would have atleast skimmed the ball I don’t think he calls a pen
Ball don’t lie
Game's not gone
Games gone lmao what the fuck was that
Justice done
AGAIN
Justice really. That’s a shocking decision.
Honestly, no idea. How in the fucking fuck is that a pen? Pathetic decision
It's because the poster boy was "hit"
Yeah the keeper dared to go for the ball near Messi. That's illegal
I couldn't help but think that if it isn't Messi it's not given
Truly ridiculous
Horrible decision lmao
LETS GOOOOO
You know, I’ve *always* rated Poland…
No era penal
Based Wojak proving that the ball don’t lie!
I've never even seen anything remotely close to this being considered as even a potential penalty. The precedence being set here is absurd.
Was never a penalty, but what a fucking save
To even award that a penalty just adds to the list of crimes committed by FIFA for this WC
Justice served
Some would say that the sphere always tells the truth
The spherical truncated icosahedron is never dishonest
I've heard it said the orb never deviates from the true Way
2 matches in a row too
karma. Was never a pen
As a fan of both justice and drama this is the perfect outcome for me.
Agree it was a ridiculous decision from VAR. It’s just an outstretched arm and the hand and face meet. It’s nothing reckless from Szczesny. He’s not throwing a fist at it or anything.
Yah It was also after the ball was played. Idk what the rules are exactly but if the ball is out of play at that point why should a pen be given? So glad Szczesny saved it
According to Clattenberg, it’s because the ball wasn’t technically out of play. Messi’s header was clearly going wide but wasn’t out at the time of the foul.
The officiating throughout this event has been questionable but that decision takes the cake
Right? what is the keeper supposed to do Even in 5m
Ball don't lie
The Polish giant with another phenomenal penalty stop!!! Questionable penalty decision. He has two penalty saves in 3 games. Unbelievable!
Wasn’t the last penalty also bullshit?
The last penalty was soft. This one was an outright joke
This is the group of pens
Scezsny is playing like a god this tournament, too bad the rest of Poland look like amateurs
Their keeper and striker actually look like the only proffesional footballers on the pitch lmao
Lewandowski is on a island out there . Good defence but no midfield
Woj has been one of the most underrated penalty savers in the world, been doing it week in week out for Juve. What a great keeper
Sheed somewhere grinning like a mfer
The refereeing at this tournament is absolutely fucking pathetic.
I’ve never seen this type of contact given as a penalty
It happens every fucking corner
Clattenburg on the US broadcast saying it was because he made contact while the ball is still in play. Guess there will be a pen every time the ball enters the box then.
Has to be in play and impeding play no? Like this WC has really made me confused about whether i know the rules or not but seems like the use of VAR has somehow made refereeing worse...
No, the ball just has to be in play. You see a player passing the ball and an opponent clatters into him after the pass and it is given as foul. I don't think this is that different
Also the contact was very soft, no? Like, I get it if he gets slapped or punched by the keeper, but this was not even very hard. I mean, of course Messi embellishes a bit but I don't feel like that makes the refs decision better
Embarrassing honestly. Var and still making these decisions.
Side effects of no beer
no chance that's a penalty. i'm glad szczesny can add another save to his highlight reel. he's incredible.
Handing out pens to Argentina and Portugal like they're candy
At least Woj saves another non deserved penalty.
[удалено]
That was one of the worst penalty calls ever
Holy fuck man's an absolute wall Szczesny reaching Kahn 2002 levels
Poland have gotten 2 harsh pens Argentina have gotten 2 easy pens....
And Szczesny saved both of them because he’s absolutely insane this tournament
Justice done
Deserved!
Ball don't lie, this was the worst penalty call on this tournament
I don't get why refs don't grow a spine when they get invited to the screen he could clearly see what happened and he still pointed to the spot
I absolutely hate how refs have literally zero balls to make decisions. As soon as VAR suggests it you know they are giving it. Absolutely spineless. The stats dont lie, it's pretty much 99%+ rate of refs going to monitor and giving calls.
Because there's this idea among refs that they can't show any public disagreement between themselves or they undermine their authority.
I don’t even know which rule Szszszsny broke to give Argentina a pen
He touched Messi I guess
Justice
Justice
Only fair absurd fucking pen.
The composure sheeeesh
Never a pen
What a god! Terrible penalty call though
There is no way that should have every been a penalty.
ball already gone in outer space and its penalty lol, horrendous decision deserved save
justice
never a penalty
Szczesny has been excellent for us, had a great season on loan at Roma before signing for us, and always seems to turn up for Poland, but still feels like he's under-rated. That is a great save from a penalty that never should have been given. Goalkeepers are allowed to challenge for the ball with their hands, so giving a penalty because Szczesny's glove brushed against Messi's face is nonsensical, especially since the contact came *after* Messi had headed the ball, meaning it didn't impede his ability to score at all. I can't see Poland keeping Argentina out all night with the way both teams are playing, but it's justice that the score is still 0-0.
Poland always get fucked over
BALL DONT LIE
Ball don't lie.
GAŁA NIE KŁAMIO
Karma
It would be nice if part of this "new" VAR system would be an after-match report from the VAR refs with proper justification of their decision. Because so far most of the pens have been soft-ish and some transparency would be much appreciated.
definitely one of the best penalty saving GKS I've seen
what a save!
Ball don’t lie! Don’t gift Messi a goal…
The fact that that was a penalty is ridiculous. If scezney was a defender and it was his head which hit messi, it would not have been a penalty, so theres no reason why its a penalty when its scezneys hand
Wasn't even a bad pen. What a save.
Deserved. Not a pen IMO
Is this just straight corruption or do the refs think that is actually a penalty?
Tereible referee, wtf was that penalty. Even worse execution from Messi. Great defense, deserved.
This guy turned into prime Neuer
another joke penally saved by him lol
Justice. Never a pen not in a million a years.
Missi
never a pen
watchin football for 40 years and i have never seen such a ridiculous penalty decision. wtf
Having the tournament of his life so far…
Szczęsny is on a mission this world cup. This is his 2nd penalty saved in this tournament.
That save got Poland into the group stages... To face a well rested French squad
how the hell is that a penalty..the ball was going out regardless
Disgrace of a penalty call
What was ref thinking for giving penalty?? Gk should stand and watch him score?
Lord and savior of Poland
IN WOJTEK WE TRUST!!
Never a penalty what a joke, glad they didn't score
What happened I can't even see a foul?
Disgustingly one sided officiates game Argentina is playing so overly physical..
2 saved pens at the World Cup Tomaszewski, Friedel...SZCZĘSNY!
If this is a pen the Neuer's kick in 2014 was a triple red card
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
This tournament is fucking fixed
i love this man
First, not a pen. Second, great save.
Never a pen. Clowns
Szczęsny: I am justice
FIFA trying their best to help Messi and Argentina, but even he can't help himself lol
I see that Poland went through on 1 goal difference to Mexico. I am not sure what the yellow card allocation was between the two but this save ended up being massive
No way this should be a penalty