Messi explains his penalty taking approach against Croatia

Alongside Kylian Mbappe,

is currently the best goalscorer of the 2022 World Cup with 5 goals, three of which come from penalties against Saudi Arabia, Netherlands and Croatia. However, Messi’s careful approach was changed when he took his penalty against Croatia and he explains why.

"I studied the Croatian goalkeeper's technique with (Geronimo) Rulli and with Dibu (Emi Martinez). We talked about how he waited a lot. The best thing to do was to surprise and hit him at once, instead of waiting and holding him. When they hold him for a long time, it's difficult. I was determined to kick like that", 

Messi said.

Prior to the match, Messi had missed a penalty against Poland when Juve keeper Szczesny saved his penalty. Croatia goalkeeper

had also stopped 4 penalties (3 of which were in the last-16 round against Japan and one against Brazil). But Messi’s powerful shot, despite Livakovic recognizing its direction, went to the top corner.

Argentina are set to go head to head with France on Sunday as Lionel Messi aims for winning the World Cup which would deliver a fairytale finish to the final years of his career.

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