Argentina 0-0 Austria LIVE: Messi misses penalty, wastes chance to break World Cup scoring record

Lionel Messi missed an early opportunity to make history after failing to convert a penalty during Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup encounter against Austria.

The Argentine captain entered the match needing just one goal to surpass former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.

However, his bid to claim the landmark was put on hold when he dragged his spot-kick wide of the target in the opening stages of the game.

Record-breaking opportunity slips away

With the chance to move ahead of Klose and become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history, Messi stepped up from 12 yards but failed to find the net.

The miss came as a surprise given the veteran forward’s reputation for delivering on the biggest stage, leaving Argentina still searching for the breakthrough while Messi remains one goal short of the historic milestone.