Argentina captain Lionel Messi has revealed how he surprised Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic with his penalty in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi has admitted that he studied Livakovic's penalty technique with the help of two Argentina goalkeepers before converting from the spot in Tuesday's clash against the Europeans.
It was the 35-year-old's fourth penalty in a match at this tournament after he had scored from the spot against Saudi Arabia in their opening group fixture. He would go on to miss the following spot-kick against Poland in the round of 16 after a stunning save from the keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
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In the quarter-finals against The Netherlands, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was once again successful from 12 yards, and he scored another one during the full penalty shootout at the end of that game.
Messi has since revealed that he did his homework on Livakovic heading into the semi-final against Croatia, after the Croatia No. 1 saved three penalties in the last 16 versus Japan, as well as Rodrygo's penalty against Brazil in the following match to knock out the Selecao.
"I studied the Croatian goalkeeper's technique with Geronimo Rulli and with Dibu (Emiliano Martinez)," the Paris Saint-Germain superstar told Argentinian outlet TyC Sports.
"We talked about how he waited a lot. The best thing to do was to surprise and hit it 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."
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Livakovic is widely considered to be one of the standout goalkeepers of the competition, alongside Yassine Bono of Morocco and Martinez of the Albiceleste, and according to German outlet DW News, the 27-year-old Dinamo Zagreb star has been linked with a move to Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.
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