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Saudi Arabia goalkeeper told Lionel Messi where to put his penalty, he made him look a fool

Saudi Arabia goalkeeper told Lionel Messi where to put his penalty, he made him look a fool

Lionel Messi stroked in a cool penalty to put Argentina 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Lionel Messi was told where to put his penalty by Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper and he made him look a little silly as a result.

Argentina were awarded an early spot-kick at the Lusail Stadium after a VAR review spotted Leandro Paredes being held from a set-piece.

There was a bit of a delay and Messi, Argentina's go-to taker, grabbed the ball and placed it. Of course, Opposition goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais tried to get inside the PSG star's head with some mind games.

As he stood on his line, he was spotted pointing to the right and instructing Messi where to go.

But it backfired massively. Al-Owais ended up diving to his left and was already on the deck as Messi coolly rolled the ball into the opposite corner for his first goal of the 2022 tournament.


Messi has now scored seven goals in four different World Cups and has been involved in 14 of his country's last 20 goals in all competitions.

Argentina are one of the favourites for the tournament and if they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia they will equal Italy's world record 37-match unbeaten run.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Lionel Scalonis's side had no less than THREE disallowed goals in a pulsating first half against Saudi Arabia.

Messi had one strike chalked off but Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez had a pair of efforts ruled out as he struggled to time his runs against an extremely high line.

But early on in the second half, Saleh Al-Shehri equalised against the run of play after leaving Cristian Romero in the dust before beating Emiliano Martinez with a left-footed finish that went across the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Saudi Arabia's fans went wild, providing a deafening noise when they found the net for the leveller and then there was utter pandemonium moments later as Salem Al-Dawsari turned the game around completely.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & ITV

Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Football World Cup

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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