Wojciech Szczesny saves Lionel Messi penalty following ‘soft’ VAR decision as Argentina beat Poland to progress to last-16 tie with Australia as group winners
Lionel Messi had his blushes spared as Argentina earned 2-0 win despite Wojciech Szczesny saving his first-half penalty.
The Paris Saint-Germain star had been running the show against Poland in their World Cup clash when he was awarded a rather fortuitous spot-kick following a foul from the Juventus goalkeeper.
Szczesny was adjudged to have fouled Messi in the penalty area after the 35-year-old headed wide of the target.
While appeals were few and far between, the decision went to VAR who judged in Argentina's favour.
Speaking on talkSPORT, commentator Stuart Pearce said: "I think it's a really soft decision... referees never give this.
"I've lost count of the amount of times goalkeepers have come to collect the ball and nothing's been given. [There's] minimal contact there."
Hugh Woozencroft added: "It's one of the worst VAR decisions I've ever seen at this level.
"Szczesny's got every right to challenge for the ball, the referee's watched it about seven or eight times in super-slow motion.
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"If that's at the other end of the pitch, VAR doesn't even tell the referee to look at the incident.
"They've reset the rules on what's a foul on Messi."
Messi was the man standing over the ball as he looked to do Argentina's hopes of qualifying a huge favour, however, a big save from Szczesny - his second of the tournament - was enough to keep Poland in the game.
Despite having his spot-kick saved, Messi's blushes were spared as Argentina earned a 2-0 victory over Poland thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Those goals were enough to send Argentina through to the last-16 in first place in Group C, setting up a tie with Australia in the next round.