Argentine forward Leonel Messi broke the record for the number of goals scored at the World Cup (World Cup) and set an anti-record for missed penalties. And all this – during the first half of the match against the Austrian national team in the second round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
In the 9th minute of the match in Arlington, Texas, Messi, whose net worth exceeded $1 billion in May, missed a penalty, shooting wide of the goal. Thus, for the third time he failed to convert the penalty kick at the World Cup and became the anti-leader in this indicator, ahead of the Ghanaian football player Asamoah Gyan.
But in the 38th minute, the captain of the Argentine national team, using a pass from defender Facundo Medina, scored the ball into the goal of the Austrian team, opening the scoring of the match. This goal was Messi's 17th at world championships and a record – previously held by German Miroslav Kose for 12 years (16 goals since 2014).
In the second half, in the 95th minute, Messi scored a double and scored his 18th goal at the World Cup. However, Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, who has 14 goals, can get closer to Messi's record for goals at the 2026 World Cup.
The Argentina national team is the current world football champions. In 2022, the team beat France in the final – on penalties (3:3, penalties – 4:2). Bookmaker platforms estimate the chances of Messi and his team to repeat the success of 2022 at 9%.
The match between Argentina and Austria ended with a score of 2:0. Messi's side are guaranteed a place in the knockout stages and will face Jordan in the final group stage match.
For the first time in history, the 2026 tournament will take place in three countries: Canada, the USA and Mexico. As RTVI.US reported, the last two of this trio have already secured their places in the championship playoffs.
Updated, added about Messi's double and the result of the match
