Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi missed a crucial penalty during Argentina's World Cup match against Egypt.
- This is the second time Messi has failed to score from the spot at this tournament, setting a record.
- Despite his penalty misses, Messi remains a key player for Argentina and continues to lead them in their quest for glory.
In a dramatic turn of events during the World Cup match between Argentina and Egypt, Lionel Messi missed a crucial penalty kick, continuing his long-standing struggle from the spot. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest miss came just as his team was facing a 2-0 deficit with only 11 minutes remaining in the last 16 stage of the tournament.
The situation for Argentina seemed dire after Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored goals for Egypt, putting their hopes of defending the World Cup title in jeopardy. However, Messi’s team rallied back, with Cristian Romero scoring a crucial header to level the score before Messi himself equalized from open play, bringing his tally to eight goals in five games at this tournament.
This is not the first time Messi has missed penalties during major tournaments; he had already failed to convert against Austria and Poland. His overall career conversion rate of 77 percent from 150 attempts is average compared to global standards, but his two misses at this World Cup have set a unique record for him as the only player to miss more than one penalty in any single tournament.
The incident brought back memories of Messi’s previous struggles with penalties. In 2016, he missed a shootout against Chile during the Copa America Centenario final and promptly retired from international football. However, within months, he reversed his decision, leading Argentina to two Copa America titles and their long-awaited third World Cup victory in Qatar four years ago.
Despite the setback, Messi’s attitude remained unwavering. After the penalty miss, he did not give up but instead asked for the ball again, showing remarkable resilience and determination. His coach, Lionel Scaloni, praised his teammate’s spirit, saying, 'Look at his attitude! After the penalty, he could have given up -‘we’re done, it’s 2-0’—but instead, he asked for the ball again and went for more.'
Scaloni added, ‘It gives me goosebumps, honestly, and it’s not just him; I don’t want to focus solely on him because his teammates supported him incredibly well.’ This support from his teammates was crucial in helping Argentina fight back and secure a 2-1 victory over Egypt.
The match showcased Messi’s continued importance to the team. His goal against open play, coupled with his leadership both on and off the pitch, underlines his value as a player. Enzo Fernandez added another goal for Argentina, ensuring they remain in contention to defend their World Cup title.
While Messi’s penalty misses continue to be a talking point, his overall performance remains stellar. His eight goals in five games at this tournament highlight his ongoing contribution to the team's success.
Look at his attitude! After the penalty he could have given up -‘we’re done, it’s 2-0’—but instead, he asked for the ball again and went for more.
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina coach
