Messi’s SECRET about his penalty goal in Argentina – Croatia

La Pulga scored five goals so far in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with the particularity that three were from 12 steps. He only failed against the Pole Wojciech Szczesny.

Lionel Messi He did not leave any detail to chance when executing the penal that paved the way for Argentine National Team ante Croatiafor the semifinal of the Qatar World Cup 2022. The Flea, that already he had missed one against Wojciech Szczesny in the group stage against Polandstudied and a lot to Dominik Livakovic to change for gol an infraction on Julian Alvarez what, according to Luke Modric and the rest of the European soccer players, did not exist.

“I was kicking penalties yesterday and since they study us, we study them too. I have spoken with (Gerónimo) Rulli and Dibu (Martínez) that he was a goalkeeper who expected a lot and that the ball came out faster than the previous one“, he confessed Messi in a one-on-one with TyC Sports in mixed area.

And I add: “Around there it was good to surprise him and hit him instead of looking at him and putting up with it because maybe he put up with me a lot and it was fucking hard to make the last decision. I was pretty determined to do it like this“.

The captain’s statement Argentine National Team surprised the journalists present, but the other bell was still missing, that of the Dibu Martinez. And the country’s leading sports channel went looking for it.

“The truth is that the goalkeeper came with a lot of confidence in penalties and we and Rulli told him that sometimes he slows down and goes to one side and that he stands still and walks very well down. So that he was steady somewhere above“, admitted the man from Mar del Plata.

Until now, Messi He became one of the goalscorers of the Qatar World Cup 2022 con cinco screams, the same as Kylian Mbappe (France still has to play the other semifinal against Morocco), as well as in leader in assists, with three. An award that he shares with Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), Antoine Griezmann (France) and Harry Kane (England).

Cover photo: Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Dominik Livakovic’s style in Croatia: quiet and focused on a single task

Like Dibu Martinez, Dominik Livakovic has earned a great reputation as penalty saver in this World Cup. He thrived under pressure, cool and focused. He first went before Japan in the round of 16: stopped the first two shots at Takumi Minamino and Karou Mitoma while Niikola Vlasic and Marcelo Brozovic converted, he couldn’t with Takuma Asano’s shot but yes with the last of Maya Yoshida and gave his team a ticket to the next round.

Los three penalties saved established a brand: for the third time in the history of the World Cup, an archer saved three shots in a finish from twelve steps. The previous one had been precisely his compatriot Daniel Subasic in Russia 2018ante Denmark and also in eighths.

In quarters before Brazilhis performance in the 120 minutes was forceful: he denied Neymar a goal four times, Lucas Paquetá twice and Vinicius and Antony once to keep Croatia in the game. In penalties, he shone against Rodrygo. Celebrate? No way. He glanced at the floor and continued concentrating on the next one. Was the shot by Marquinhos which gave him the pass to the semis.

Away from Dibu’s show, Livakovic he tries to avoid confrontation at all costs so that he can focus exclusively on making saves: he stays put and tries to be as big as possible to stop the striker’s onslaught. Normally guesses the destination of the finisher, forcing the opponent to overcome their resistance.

Although they have totally different styles, talent is what they have in common. In addition to his exceptional timing, patience, and power, his positioning and angle reading are also excellent.

All of Lionel Messi’s penalties for the Argentina National Team in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar