The Argentina team suffered more than necessary to beat Egypt. The Albiceleste came back from 0-2 down and reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi scored the goal 2-2 on the scoreboard, but missed a penalty in the first half. Messi leads a negative record in the World Cups.

Lionel Messi is the footballer who has taken the most penalties in the history of the World Cup. The Inter Miami footballer has taken eight penalties in World Cups. However, Messi's effectiveness is beginning to be called into question.

In the duel against Egypt, Lionel Messi missed the second penalty in this edition of the World Cup. The first came in the group stage against Austria.

In the 2026 World Cup, Messi became the player who has missed the most penalties in World Cups. Before the start of this tournament, the Inter Miami footballer was tied with Asamoah Gyan. The Ghanaian footballer had missed two penalties, one against the Czech Republic in Germany 2006 and another against Uruguay in South Africa 2010.

The four penalties missed by Messi

The first penalty missed by Lionel Messi in World Cups was in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In this tournament Messi missed a maximum penalty against Iceland in the Albiceleste's debut in this World Cup.

The second penalty missed by the Argentine was in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In this World Cup Messi missed a shot from eleven steps, also in the group stage, but against Poland and Szczęsny's defense.

The other two failures were in this World Cup. Against Austria in the group stage and against Egypt in the round of 16. The penalty saved by Mostafa Shobeir was Messi's first missed shot in a direct elimination duel in the World Cup.