Lionel Messi has once again written his name into World Cup history, though this time in a way he would prefer not to. During Argentina’s tense encounter with Egypt, the legendary forward recorded a statistic that underlines a rare weakness from the penalty spot.

Messi’s new but unwanted World Cup record

The Argentine captain entered the 2026 World Cup hoping to defend his nation’s crown, but his penalty form has become a subject of concern. After failing to convert from the spot against Egypt in Atlanta — a match where Yasser Ibrahim gave the Pharaohs the lead — Messi became the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single edition, excluding shootouts.

This unwanted record follows his earlier miss against Austria earlier in the tournament. Despite being widely regarded as the greatest of all time, the mental duel from 12 yards appears to be troubling the veteran forward, who still leads Argentina through a challenging knockout stage in North America.

Penalty woes continue at the 2026 World Cup

Messi is not the only one struggling from the spot. The 2026 tournament has witnessed a noticeable dip in penalty success. With a current conversion rate of 65.3%, this is the poorest return in a World Cup since 1966, suggesting that goalkeepers and pressure situations are increasingly getting the upper hand over even the most skilled takers.

The Argentine icon has previously confessed that missed penalties weigh heavily on him, particularly when they occur early in crucial games. Although he continues to set scoring records in open play, his recent failures have sparked debate over whether Argentina should consider another designated penalty-taker moving forward.

Egypt threaten Argentina’s title defence

In the Round of 16 clash between Egypt and Argentina, the first half ended with an unexpected 1-0 advantage for the Pharaohs. Defender Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring with a powerful header, outjumping Lisandro Martinez to find the back of the net.

Argentina’s quest to retain the World Cup trophy for a second consecutive time is now under serious threat, as Mohamed Salah and his teammates put up a resilient defensive display. Messi endured a frustrating evening in front of goal, with Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir producing a series of outstanding saves.

Messi’s candid reflection on his earlier miss

Looking back on his missed penalty against Austria, Messi was typically forthright. He admitted, “Today there was a moment where I was very angry about the penalty because I missed it. I kicked it very badly, and well, luckily we were able to turn that situation around, take the lead and get the three points, which is what's important.”

Despite his frustration at missing such a crucial opportunity, the captain maintained his focus on the team’s objectives. He added, “Obviously it was in our plans getting the victory. We knew it wouldn't be easy, especially how the World Cup is unfolding.”