Argentina and Austria squared off on Monday, June 22, for a high-stakes Matchday 2 Group L clash at the 2026 World Cup. Given a golden opportunity to open the scoreline early for the Albiceleste, superstar Lionel Messi shocked fans by missing a crucial penalty kick. The drama began in the fifth minute when striker Lautaro […] Argentina and Austria squared off on Monday, June 22, for a high-stakes Matchday 2 Group L clash at the 2026 World Cup. Given a golden opportunity to open the scoreline early for the Albiceleste, superstar Lionel Messi shocked fans by missing a crucial penalty kick.
The drama began in the fifth minute when striker Lautaro Martinez was brought down inside the penalty box by Austrian defender Stefan Posch, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Following a lengthy delay, Messi stepped up to take the shot in the eighth minute, completely pulling his attempt far wide of the right post despite goalkeeper Alexander Schlager diving the wrong way.
The rare blunder recalled Messi’s previous high-profile spot-kick miss during Argentina’s triumphant championship run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. During that tournament’s final group stage match, the legendary number 10 had a similar 39th-minute chance to open the scoring against Poland, only to see his powerful effort parried away by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
OH MY 😳Messi shoots his penalty wide pic.twitter.com/GixyF2iwhy— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026
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