Veterans Messi and Lewy clash for knockout berth
Two of the most intimidating strikers in world football, Argentina’s 35-year-old Lionel Messi and Poland’s 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, line up against each other today with a last 16 place at stake in the World Cup.
Messi has scored twice in Argentina’s extraordinary start to the campaign, suffering one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history at the hands of Saudi Arabia before masterminding a euphoric victory over Mexico.
The brilliant Argentine, whose team are one of the tournament favourites, is playing his fifth and final campaign, meaning it is his last chance to match Diego Maradona and lift the trophy for his longing homeland.
“We had to give everyone peace of mind to be able to approach the Poland game in a different way,” Messi said.
With Argentina second in Group C on three points, one behind the Poles, they must win to be sure of progressing and keeping alive their dream of a third World Cup title for the South American country.
A draw would be enough for the South Americans too if Mexico and Saudi Arabia also end level.
Like Messi, Lewandowski is also his nation’s all-time top scorer and is on possibly his last mission at a World Cup.
He has been in sizzling form for Messi’s old club Barcelona and has also had an eventful start in Qatar.
Lewandowski uncharacteristically missed a penalty in Poland’s opening draw with Mexico before scoring his first ever World Cup goal in their 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
That reduced him to tears. “The older I get, the more emotional I get, and I’m aware that it might be my last World Cup actually,” said Lewandowski.
Poland, who have not reached the knockout stage since 1986, will go through with a win or draw against Argentina.
BOXER THREATENS SUPERSTAR
Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez has issued a thinly-veiled threat to Messi after he took offence at a dressing-room video appearing to show the Argentine forward nudge away a Mexican jersey with his foot after their World Cup win over “El Tri”.
“Have you seen Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag?” Alvarez wrote on Monday on his Twitter account, which has 2.2 million followers.
“He should ask to God that I don’t find him!” Alvarez added in another Tweet accompanied by two fist emojis, an enraged red face and a flame.
Argentina captain Messi had apparently swapped shirts with his Mexico counterpart Andres Guardado.
Some people replied to Alvarez pointing out that the video did not show Messi cleaning anything, nor was there a Mexico flag in it.
But Alvarez doubled down, insisting Messi had nonetheless “insulted” Mexico.
Former Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero weighed in on the debate, replying to Alvarez.
“Mr Canelo, don’t look for excuses and problems, you probably don’t know about football and what happens in the changing room,” wrote Aguero on Twitter. “The jerseys are always on the floor after a game because of the sweat.”