Messi misses penalty, spurns chance to become WC’s all-time leading scorer
Messi, who is just one goal away from eclipsing Miroslav Klose's record for the World Cup's highest ever goal scorer, spurned the chance from the spot in the 9th minute.
Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) dives for the ball as Argentina's Lionel Messi's shot goes wide during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Austria in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed a golden chance to go on top of FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goal-scorer’s list when he put a penalty wide off target during the Argentina vs Austria World Cup match. Messi, who is just one goal away from eclipsing Miroslav Klose’s record for the World Cup’s highest ever goal scorer, spurned the chance from the spot in the 9th minute after teammate Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the opposition box.
This was Messi’s third miss from the spot in World Cups with the Argentine captain previously getting thwarted in 2018 vs Iceland, in 2022 vs Poland and now in 2026 vs Austria.
Advertisement
Last week, Messi used the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes, a flood of emotions cracking his usually calm, confident demeanor after he gave Argentina an early lead in its World Cup opener against Algeria. Then he scored again. And again.
Suddenly, any questions about Messi’s hamstring injury, or whether he could help Argentina become the third team to win consecutive World Cups — even as his 39th birthday approaches next week — had been answered. With a brilliant hat trick in a 3-0 win over Les Fennecs, Messi moved into a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the career scoring record at the men’s World Cup.
“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to football. And those feelings were because of that,” Messi said afterward, without elaborating. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”
Advertisement
Messi scored that emotional first goal in the opening minutes on a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second off an opportunistic rebound early in the second half, and the third on a crisp strike moments before subbing out to a standing ovation from a crowd of 69,045 tilted heavily toward the three-time World Cup champions.
“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say?” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “He’s incredible.”
Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) dives for the ball as Argentina's Lionel Messi's shot goes wide during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Austria in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde) 
Share
