AT&T Stadium, Arlington — Lionel Messi had a chance to make history from 12 yards, but his skewed penalty against Austria only added another chapter to a spot-kick career filled with both glory and heartbreak. Minutes later, the Argentine captain found redemption from open play, scoring the goal that made him the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading marksman. Here, we break down Messi’s penalty record after his miss in the Group F clash.
Messi’s High-Stakes Miss Against Austria
Inside the first 10 minutes of Argentina’s second group match, Messi stepped up to take a penalty that would have given him sole possession of the World Cup scoring record, breaking the tie of 16 goals held by Miroslav Klose. Instead, his left-footed effort sailed wide of the right post — a rare misstep from a player who has converted so many pressure kicks. The miss was his first from the spot at a World Cup since 2018, and it temporarily kept the scores level.
“He missed a penalty that would have made him the World Cup’s outright greatest goalscorer,” noted FourFourTwo, capturing the weight of the moment.
A Career of Spot-Kick Excellence – With Occasional Stumbles
Messi’s overall penalty record remains formidable. Across club and country, the Inter Miami star has scored more than 100 penalties in his senior career, converting at a rate above 80%. At the World Cup alone, he has now taken seven penalties (including shootouts), missing only two — the one against Austria and an earlier miss against Iceland in 2018. His ability to bounce back from misses is well documented: after his 2016 Copa América final penalty miss, he later won three major international tournaments with Argentina.
For Argentina, Messi has been the primary penalty taker for over a decade, and his record from 12 yards is a key reason the side has lifted the 2022 World Cup and two Copa América titles. Yet, the miss against Austria underscores that even the greatest cannot always deliver from the spot when the stakes are highest.
Penalties in Context: World Cup and Career Milestones
Despite the miss, Messi’s response showed his resilience. He scored a sublime left-footed goal in the 39th minute, moving to 17 World Cup goals and breaking Klose’s record. That goal, from open play, cemented his status as the tournament’s top scorer ever, a record that may stand for generations. His penalty record across all competitions includes memorable conversions in Champions League finals, El Clásico, and World Cup shootouts. According to data from FourFourTwo, Messi has now missed 31 of the roughly 140 penalties he has attempted in his professional career (club and country), leaving him with a conversion rate hovering near 78%.
The Austria game also served as a reminder of Messi’s evolution. At 37, he remains the focal point of Argentina’s attack, and his side’s progression to the round of 32 after the 2-0 win ensures more opportunities to add to his record tally. Whether from penalties or open play, Messi’s legacy as a clutch performer is secure, even if this particular spot-kick will be remembered as a rare blot.
Key Takeaways
- Messi missed a penalty inside 10 minutes against Austria, delaying his record-breaking moment.
- He later scored from open play to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 17 goals.
- Messi’s career penalty conversion rate remains around 78%, with over 100 successful conversions.
- The miss was only his second World Cup penalty miss, with the other coming against Iceland in 2018.
- Argentina won the match 2-0, securing a place in the knockout rounds.
Quick Facts
Penalty Taken (vs Austria): 1 (missed)
World Cup Penalty Record (including shootouts): 7 taken, 5 scored, 2 missed
Career Penalties (approx., club & country): ~140 taken, ~109 scored
World Cup Goals (after Austria match): 17 (all-time record)
Result: Argentina 2-0 Austria, Group F