World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi sets more records for holders Argentina

Even in failure, Messi breaks records.

He will get the headlines for his prowess in front of goal, but there were also some unwanted records.

Argentina were awarded a penalty when Lautaro Martinez was brought down, but Messi fired the spot-kick wide.

“There was a moment where I was very angry about the penalty, because I missed it and I took it very, very badly,” said Messi. “Luckily we were able to reverse that situation, take the lead and get the three points.”

He became the first player to miss a penalty at the 2026 World Cup and has now both taken (seven) and missed (three) the most penalties in tournament history, excluding shootouts.

He has also failed to score six of 31 penalties for Argentina.

By making amends with his double, this was the first competitive match that Messi has scored in for Argentina after also missing a penalty.

“Messi is human after all, he’s allowed the odd mistake,” added Murphy.

Perhaps it was written in the stars for his record-breaking goal to be scored in true Messi fashion.

“He might have missed it on purpose,” Murphy joked. “Maybe breaking the record was meant for a better goal.”

South American football expert Tim Vickery added: “The gods of football obviously didn’t want him to break the record with a penalty, they wanted him to break the record with a goal from open play.

“Argentina have built the team around him and I just don’t want the carnival to end.”

While holding so many records, there are more for him to get.

Next on the list could be the most assists at World Cups as Messi is currently level with Maradona on eight.

Jordan in the final group match (Sunday, 03:00 BST) is Messi’s next chance to make yet more footballing history.