Lionel Messi saves US gambler $350,000

Lionel Messi saved a gambler’s blushes by scoring a last minute goal for Argentina.

Lionel Messi saved a Las Vegas gambler’s blushes by scoring a late dramatic winner in Argentina’s World Cup match against Iran, after the man bet $350,000 (£205,000) on an Argentinian victory.

Lionel Messi curled a stunning finish from outside the penalty area in injury time to seal a 1-0 win in the Group F clash, to the gambler’s relief six thousand miles away from the action in Las Vegas.

The man – who has not been named – staked $230,000 on Argentina beating Iran at a William Hill outlet at Las Vegas’ Tuscany Casino.

The bet would only return a profit of $20,000.

According to company spokesman, Michael Grodsky, it was the largest wager on the World Cup taken by William Hill. However, this did not deter the same customer returning on the Friday to stake another $120,000 on the same outcome.

That pushed their potential winnings up to $30,000, which was marginally less than 10% of the amount that would be lost if Iran won the match.

Here at Two Little Fleas, we reckon that he should probably play bingo instead; the pay-out may not be as big, but the gamble is certainly a lot less!