Lionel Messi missed Argentina’s first penalty of the current World Cup against Austria, resulting in a new, unwanted record. The missed penalty in the 9th minute brings Messi’s total penalty misses in regular World Cup play – excluding shootouts – to three, surpassing all other players in the tournament’s history. Previously, the record for most missed penalties was jointly held by a player from Ghana. This occurred during a recent match, adding to Messi’s statistics in the ongoing competition. The missed spot-kick came during a game following Argentina’s victory in the Qatar World Cup. This record highlights a less celebrated aspect of the captain’s performance on the international stage.