Messi Misses 2nd 2026 World Cup Penalty as Argentina Weighs Change From 12 Yards
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 11
Messi Misses 2nd 2026 World Cup Penalty as Argentina Weighs Change From 12 Yards
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 11
Summary
Two missed penalties in the 2026 World Cup have put Lionel Messi's role from the spot under scrutiny, even after he scored once and set up another in Argentina's 3-2 last-16 comeback over Egypt.
Against Egypt, Messi failed to convert with Argentina 1-0 down, then helped rescue the holders after Cristian Romero cut the deficit and Enzo Fernandez struck the stoppage-time winner.
No player has previously missed 2 penalties in normal time at a single World Cup, and Messi has converted only 4 of 8 in World Cup matches outside shootouts.
His broader record is solid but not elite: Opta puts Messi at 77% excluding shootouts, below Harry Kane's 90.7% and also behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Lionel Scaloni still backed Messi before the quarter-final against Switzerland, saying the 39-year-old will take penalties if he wants, despite strong alternatives such as Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez.