World Cup 2026: Messi misses bizarre penalty as Argentina star sets unwanted record

Lionel Messi endured a rare and shocking moment on Monday evening after missing a penalty in Argentina’s World Cup group-stage clash against Austria, a miss that has now placed him in an unwanted place in tournament history.

The moment came during the second round of Group stage action, with Argentina awarded an early penalty after Lautaro Martínez was brought down in the box. The decision was confirmed after consultation with Egyptian referee Amin Omar following a VAR review.

Messi’s Uncharacteristic Miss

Messi stepped up to take the spot kick in the 7th minute, but surprisingly sent a weak effort wide of the goal in a manner uncharacteristic of the Argentine captain.

The miss stunned fans and teammates alike, as the usually clinical forward failed to convert from a position he has dominated throughout his career.

Unwanted World Cup Record

The missed penalty has now placed Messi in an unwanted record in World Cup history.

According to Opta, Messi has taken seven penalties at the World Cup and missed three of them, making him the player with the most missed penalty kicks in the competition’s history.

The statistic adds a surprising twist to an otherwise glittering international career that has seen the Argentine icon break numerous records on football’s biggest stage.

A Rare Blip in a Legendary Career

Despite the setback, Messi remains a central figure for Argentina as they continue their push through the tournament.

Moments like these, however rare, underline the unpredictability of football even for the game’s greatest players.