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What Happened on Lionel Messi's Missed Penalty? Argentina Legend Chance at History Goes Wide Right
The Argentina captain missed from the spot after a lengthy VAR review, leaving him tied on 16 World Cup goals and one short of the record.
- On June 22, 2026, Argentina's Lionel Messi missed an 8th minute penalty against Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington during the FIFA World Cup Group J match. The 38-year-old squandered a chance to become the tournament's outright highest goalscorer.
- The referee awarded the spot-kick following a lengthy VAR intervention after Austria fouled Lautaro Martinez in the penalty area. A successful conversion would have surpassed the scoring record Messi currently shares with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals.
- With this miss, Messi has now failed to convert three penalties at World Cups, the most of any player, moving ahead of Ghana's Asamoah Gyan who missed two spot-kicks. Taking seven penalties at World Cups is also a record for the Argentine icon.
- The miss stunned fans inside Dallas Stadium and millions watching globally, with the Argentine captain sending his effort wide at a moment carrying significance far beyond a single match. The 38-year-old remains tied with Klose, delaying his ascent to the top of the scoring charts.
- Despite the disappointment, the record remains within reach for Inter Miami star Messi, who continues to lead Argentina's campaign after scoring a hat-trick in the tournament's opening 3-0 win over Algeria. Few would bet against him eventually claiming the all-time scoring record.
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27 Articles
Associated Press News+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Lionel Messi misses penalty kick with a chance to break the World Cup scoring record with Argentina
Lionel Messi missed a penalty kick in the ninth minute of Argentina’s match against Austria after a video review set up the possibility of him breaking the World Cup scoring record.
·New York, United States
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Lionel Messi Misses Penalty vs Austria, Falls Short of FIFA World Cup All-Time Goals Record
Lionel Messi missed a crucial early penalty against Austria that would have made him the outright top scorer in FIFA World Cup history, but the Argentina captain bounced back with a commanding display to inspire victory and keep the all-time goals record within touching distance.
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left9Leaning Right3Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 25%
R 19%
Factuality
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