Lionel Messi creates unwanted piece of World Cup history in shock low

Lionel Messi has missed a penalty for a record third World Cup in a row.

The 38-year-old failed to find the target in the opening stages of Argentina’s Group J clash with Austria at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Messi did not hit the target with his spot-kick – his third World Cup penalty missGetty

Lautaro Martinez had been brought down in the box and, after a lengthy VAR review, Messi was gifted a chance to score.

It would have been his 17th World Cup goal, which would have taken him past Miroslav Klose for the all-time record.

However, Messi failed to even test Alexander Schlager in the Austria goal.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now missed three of his seven World Cup penalties.

He missed against Iceland in Russia 2018 and Poland in Qatar 2022.

Incidentally, the last two penalties Lionel Messi missed in competitive matches, including shoot-outs, with Argentina were in Texas.

As well as Monday’s miss, Messi missed a spot-kick against Ecuador at the Copa America in 2024.

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How many goals has Messi scored at the World Cup?

He may be 38, but he reminded everyone why he is one of the greatest players of all-time in Argentina’s opening game.

Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria to fire him up the all-time record goal list.

The 2022 World Cup winner won’t be able to break the World Cup’s goal record as quickly as Klose, who took 24 games to hit the 16-goal mark, three fewer than Messi’s 27.

Argentina’s final group game will be against Jordan on Sunday, June 28.

Kylian Mbappe is lurking in the background, however, thanks to his two goals in France’s opening game.

He now has 14 at his three World Cups so far and can add to that tally against Iraq at 10pm.

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