Lionel Messi scores before missing astonishing chance in Argentina farewell

Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot before missing from only centimetres out as Argentina beat Benin in a memorable appearance for their captain on 7 October 2026.

Messi converted Argentina’s third goal in the 71st minute after the World Cup holders were awarded a penalty. The captain stepped up to take responsibility and sent the ball into the Benin net.

The goal added another notable moment to an occasion surrounded by a celebratory atmosphere, with the match carrying particular significance for Messi and the Argentina national team.

However, Messi’s night also included an extraordinary miss. Just four minutes after scoring, he found himself almost on the goal-line with a clear opportunity to add to his tally, but somehow failed to turn the ball into the net.

The remarkable miss left the crowd stunned, given how close Messi was to the target and the ideal position he had been in to score. It quickly became one of the most striking moments of the match, contrasting sharply with the composure he had shown from the penalty spot.

Commentator Fares Awad reacted with disbelief, asking: “Do you want to convince us that you are human by missing chances?”

Messi therefore combined two very different moments in the same farewell appearance for Argentina: a successful penalty that gave his side their third goal, followed minutes later by an opportunity that seemed almost impossible to miss.

The two incidents became the defining images of an unusual night for the Argentina captain, who surprised supporters by both finding the net and failing to score from virtually point-blank range.