Wojciech Szczęsny
By Phillip Bupp on

Wojciech Szczęsny has been massive for Poland at the FIFA World Cup. The Juventus goalkeeper has saved every shot in two-and-a-half matches.

In the first half of Poland’s match against Argentina, Szczęsny picked up nine saves in the first half. Those nine increase Szczęsny’s total to 18 saves throughout the tournament.

Szczęsny’s biggest save of the first half was a penalty save on Lionel Messi in the 39th minute. VAR overturned a non-call where Szczęsny accidentally made contact with Messi’s face while going up for a save.

It was debatable whether or not it was a penalty, but it was the ruling, and Messi lined up at the spot opposite Szczęsny. Messi hit a hard-powered shot but Szczęsny read it perfectly and got a hand on the ball, denying Messi and keeping things scoreless.

That was Szczęsny’s second penalty save of the tournament, tying him with the USMNT’s Brad Friedel (2002) and fellow Pole Jan Tomaszewski (1974) as goalkeepers who have saved two non-shootout penalties in a single World Cup, according to Paul Carr. Tim Howard’s record of 15 saves in a World Cup match is also under threat, depending on what Szczęsny does in the second half.

The scoreless half must’ve had Argentina stewing in halftime because they got out and scored in the first couple of minutes of the half, snapping Szczęsny’s clean streak.

Even still, many gave credit where due on Szczęsny for saving Messi’s penalty.

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About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @phillipbupp

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