Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski were quick to make up after things got heated in extra-time
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski were quick to make up after an incident during Argentina's 2-0 win over Poland at World Cup.
Argentina secured top spot in Group C on Wednesday evening thanks to second-half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Poland will join them in the round of 16 despite Mexico defeating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the other game in the group.
Tensions were high, however. Messi had a first-half penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny, while Poland knew their destiny was out of their hands for most of the contest.
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Late in the second half, Messi attempted to dribble past a defending Lewandowski. The Barcelona striker cynically grabbed his opponent's shirt to give away a foul.
It helped slow the game down while giving Czeslaw Michniewicz's side a chance to get back into position.
Lewandowski attempted to grab Messi's hand to let him know there were no hard feelings.
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The Paris Saint-Germain superstar brushed off a confused Lewandowski's embrace, to the shock of supporters watching at home.
Tempers quickly simmered down at the full-time whistle. Messi and Lewandowski, who finished first and second in the 2020 Ballon d'Or vote, embraced on the Stadium 974 turf.
Messi whispered something into Lewandowski's ear as the pair walked away from the camera.
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The 35-year-old's wait for a ninth World Cup goal extends into the knockout stages following Szczesny's penalty save.
Post-match, the Juventus goalkeeper claimed he chatted to Messi before the game over a potential bet.
He admitted: "We spoke before the penalty. I told him I'd bet €100 that he [the referee] wasn't going to give it. So, I've lost a bet against Messi.
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"I don't know if that's allowed at the World Cup. I'm probably going to get banned for it. I don't care right now. I'm not going to pay him either. He doesn't care about €100, c'mon."
Argentina will face Australia in the round of 16 on Saturday, while Poland take on reigning world champions France on Sunday.
Topics: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Argentina, Poland, FIFA World Cup
Daniel Marland