Lionel Messi World Cup 2022Getty
Gill Clark

Misfiring Messi! Argentina legend sets unwanted World Cup record with penalty miss against Poland

L. MessiPoland vs ArgentinaPolandArgentinaWorld Cup

Lionel Messi missed another spot-kick for Argentina against Poland at World Cup 2022 on Wednesday.

  • Szcsesny saves from Messi
  • Argentina's second miss
  • Sets unwanted record

WHAT HAPPENED? Messi won a penalty after he was floored in an aerial challenge with Poland stopper Szczesny. The Argentine legend stepped up to take the kick but saw it saved by the goalkeeper. Messi is now the first player in history to have two penalties saved in the World Cup.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Messi has missed two of his three penalty kicks at the World Cup (excluding penalty shootouts), equalling the most by a player since at least 1966 (Asamoah Gyan, two missed out of four). His last miss came against Iceland in the 2018 World Cup group stage.

DID YOU KNOW? Wojciech Szczesny is only the second goalkeeper on record (since 1966) to save a penalty at the World Cup after conceding it himself, after Joel Bats for France against Brazil in 1986.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Wojciech Szczesny Lionel Messi Argentina Polonia Qatar 2022Matthias Hangst/Getty ImagesSzczesny MessiGetty ImagesWojciech Szczesny Lionel Messi Argentina Polonia Qatar 2022Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA? La Albiceleste will qualify with a win against Poland and will top the group if they take three points and Saudi Arabia draw or lose to Mexico in the group's other game.

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