Lionel Messi Misses Fourth World Cup Penalty, Sets Unwanted Record

Lionel Messi added a dubious milestone on **July 6, 2026** when his spot‑kick was saved by Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir in the round‑of‑16 clash at Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. The 39‑year‑old’s miss marked the fourth penalty he has failed to convert in World Cup history, a record no other player holds.

Messi’s first World Cup miss came on **June 16, 2018** against Iceland, when goalkeeper Hannes Halldórsson dived low to block a left‑footed effort. Four years later, on **November 30, 2022**, Poland’s Wojciech Szczęsny saved a centrally placed shot after a foul on Messi. In the current tournament, his third miss arrived on **June 24, 2026** versus Austria; a ninth‑minute spot‑kick drifted wide of the right post. The fourth came just days later against Egypt, where Shobeir stretched to his right and tipped the ball over the bar.

While Messi continues to lead the 2026 Golden Boot race with seven goals, his penalty conversion rate sits at 50 %-four goals from eight attempts. The new record eclipses Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, who previously held the most missed World Cup penalties with two. Critics point to the missed spots as a blemish on an otherwise stellar tournament performance, yet teammates stress his overall contribution remains vital.

After the Egypt penalty, Argentina trailed 1‑0 before leveling through a quick counter‑attack in the 23rd minute. The match ended 2‑2 after extra time, sending the game to penalties where Argentina prevailed 4‑3, despite Messi’s earlier disappointment. The victory kept Argentina alive in the competition, but the missed spot‑kick will linger in post‑match analysis.

Argentina now faces the quarter‑finals on **July 10, 2026**, against the winner of the Brazil‑France tie. Messi, still the tournament’s top scorer, will look to add more goals while hoping to avoid another penalty mishap. The Argentine coach has hinted at rotating the forward line to protect Messi’s stamina, but the captain’s presence on the pitch remains non‑negotiable.

Messi’s four missed penalties span three World Cups, a rarity for a player who has featured in every tournament since 2006. The record underscores the pressure of spot‑kicks in high‑stakes matches and adds a new statistical footnote to his extensive career, which already includes over 800 senior club goals and multiple Ballon d’Or awards.

Social media erupted after the Egypt miss, with some fans expressing disbelief while others defended the Argentine legend, noting his overall impact. A poll on a major football forum showed 62 % of respondents still consider Messi the tournament’s standout player despite the penalty woes.

Messi’s next challenge will be to convert his scoring touch into decisive moments without the penalty drama. If he can keep his goal tally rising, the record may become a footnote rather than a defining narrative.

**Lionel Messi’s fourth missed World Cup penalty on July 6, 2026, sets a new record, but his goal‑scoring form keeps Argentina in contention for the title.**