With an unprolific attack (two goals in three games in Group C), a confident goalkeeper is invaluable insurance.

With only two goals conceded, Szczesny is the goalkeeper who has "avoided" the most, according to statistician Opta.

"Without him, we would not have qualified" second (with 4 pts) behind Argentina, said Kamil Kolsut, journalist for the Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, interviewed by AFP.

"He's the most important player in the team. Not Robert Lewandowski, who is committed defensively and doesn't have the opportunity to work up front."

Szczesny's little phrases make you smile - UEFA even cheated him by posting on Twitter the images of the conceded goal against Kylian Mbappé during the Juventus Turin-Paris SG match in the Champions League on November 2.

They are nonetheless warnings.

"Lionel Messi, I'm studying you!", Warned the goalkeeper with 69 caps before facing Argentina in his last group match on Wednesday.

He did indeed stop a penalty shot by the "Pulga", without preventing the defeat (2-0).

"It was hard (...) but, fortunately, Szczesny is in great shape," noted coach Czeslaw Michniewicz, regretting that striker Lewandowski was not sufficiently "assisted" by his teammates.

The stoppage of Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during the penalty of Argentinian Lionel Messi during the World Cup meeting between their two teams, November 30, 2022 in Doha © Glyn KIRK / AFP

"Not Heroes"

"In great form", the 1.96m goalkeeper was already in the 2-0 victory against Saudi Arabia on November 26, saving a first penalty and blocking another strike in stride, after a draw 0-0 against Mexico on November 22.

In his position, "we cannot become heroes by scoring goals but, at least, we can try to help the team, declared the native of Warsaw at the time. It's part of the job. We play the match in his head and we analyze the opponent for hours. We always analyze the penalty takers. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it is useless."

Trained at Arsenal under the wing of Arsene Wenger, Szczesny has had bad luck several times in his career.

In 2008, the son of former Polish international Maciej Szczesny broke both forearms in training.

During Euro-2012, he received a red card in his first match.

In 2016, he immediately got injured.

And during the last edition of the European Championship, the former AS Roma player conceded an own goal from the start.

Polish selection goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (L) alongside star striker Robert Lewandowski before the start of the World Cup match against Argentina on November 30, 2022 in Doha © ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP

But, at 32, for his second and possible last World Cup, the Pole finally seems reconciled with providence... on the pitch at least.

After hitting Messi in the face in an aerial duel on Wednesday, he offered the Argentine to bet 100 euros on the penalty not being awarded by video refereeing.

Bet lost!

"I don't know if it's allowed at the World Cup, I may even be banned for it but I don't care, he then laughed in front of the media. I'm not going either pay it. (Messi) doesn't care about 100 euros, I think he doesn't need it!"

© 2022 AFP