Lionel Messi missed a penalty in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier on Tuesday, a rare blemish in an otherwise dominant performance by the reigning world champions. The Inter Miami star stepped up to take a spot-kick in the 34th minute but saw his effort saved by Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, keeping the score level at that point.
Messi's Reaction to the Miss
After the match, Messi admitted his frustration at missing the penalty but emphasized that the team's win was the most important outcome. "I'm angry about missing the penalty, but the team did a great job and we got the three points," Messi said in a post-match interview. "These things happen in football. You have to move on and focus on the next game."
The miss was uncharacteristic for Messi, who has scored 108 penalties in his career, converting at an 80% rate. However, he has now missed two of his last four penalties for Argentina, including one in the 2022 World Cup final shootout against France, which Argentina eventually won.
Match Overview
Argentina dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Despite Messi's miss, they broke the deadlock in the 58th minute through a header from defender Cristian Romero. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead in the 73rd minute with a clinical finish after a pass from Messi, who redeemed himself with the assist.
The win kept Argentina top of the CONMEBOL qualifying table with 28 points from 12 matches, four points ahead of second-placed Brazil. Austria, meanwhile, remained in third place in their UEFA qualifying group, with the loss denting their hopes of automatic qualification.
Historical Context
Messi's penalty miss was his first in a World Cup qualifier since 2017, when he missed against Venezuela. Overall, he has missed 27 penalties in his professional career out of 135 attempts, a conversion rate of 80%. For Argentina, he has scored 22 penalties and missed 6, including the one against Austria.
Despite the miss, Messi's overall performance was praised by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. "Leo is our leader, and even when he misses, he contributes in other ways. He created the second goal and worked hard defensively," Scaloni said.
Upcoming Fixtures
Argentina will next face Paraguay in a qualifier on June 30, while Austria takes on Slovenia in their next match. Messi will be looking to add to his tally of 108 international goals, the second-highest in men's football history behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
