Lionel Messi became the first player to miss two penalty kicks in a single tournament during the 2026 FIFA World Cup [2].
The record marks a rare struggle for the Argentina captain in a high-stakes environment. Because penalty success is often the difference between advancing or elimination in the tournament, these misses place additional pressure on the Argentine squad.
The misses occurred during the group stage in June 2026 [2], specifically during a match against Austria [2]. Messi missed two penalties during regulation time [1], making him the first person in the history of the competition to do so [2].
Analysts said the failures stem from Messi's specific approach to the shot. Rather than utilizing a consistent, specialist technique, Messi varies his routine and maintains focus on the goalkeeper until the final second [1]. This strategy is designed to outsmart the keeper, but experts said it contributes to the lack of precision [1].
While Messi has long been regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport, his current struggle with set pieces has drawn scrutiny. The technical breakdown involves a preference for psychological games over a mechanical, repeatable motion. This approach leaves the outcome dependent on the keeper's movement rather than the striker's predetermined target [1].
Argentina continues to compete in the tournament hosted by the U.S., but the historical nature of this statistical anomaly remains a point of discussion among sports analysts [2].
“Messi became the first player to miss two penalty kicks in a single tournament”
This statistical anomaly highlights a tension between intuitive play and specialized execution. While Messi's ability to read a goalkeeper is a hallmark of his creativity, the failure of this method in two critical moments suggests that the psychological advantage of the 'last-second' look may be diminishing against modern goalkeeping analysis and preparation.
