The 44,098-strong crowd at the Stadium 974 here on Wednesday night couldn’t stop chanting the name of their most loved football star, Lionel Messi, as Argentina kicked off their last Group C match against Poland. But a few minutes into the game, it became evident that was not going to be Messi’s night. And as time progressed further—the 2-0 match result in their favour notwithstanding—it actually became a night to forget for the seven-time Ballon D’Or-winning five-time World Cupper who was making a record 22nd World Cup appearance.

Messi’s night was marred by some poor trapping, inefficient dribbling and feeble shooting, but the worst part of it was a missed penalty which was a questionable call in the first place. Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was erroneously adjudicated by the VAR to have fouled the Argentina striker after an initially unconvinced referee Daniele Orsato of Italy was coerced into opting for a video referral by the vociferously screaming crowd. Szczesny though had the last laugh when he dived to his left and warded off the spot-kick.