Day 12 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway as Lionel Messi and Argentina face Austria in the first fixture of the day. In that game, Messi has the chance to break the all-time record for World Cup goals.
Messi got the chance early to break the record. In the fifth minute of the game, Lautaro Martinez was heading towards the goal. Xaver Schlager made a challenge, but did not make contact with the ball before the player. Initially, it was called a clean challenge, but being in the penalty area, it was reviewed by VAR.
After the review, a penalty was given, and Messi stepped to the dot. It was a casual walk up to the ball, and a simple side-footed shot that went wide of the right post.
LIONEL MESSI MISSES THE PENALTY 😱
Messi had the opportunity to become the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer and missed the penalty!
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 22, 2026
After a hat trick in the first game of the Group Stage, Messi is at 16 World Cup goals over six different World Cups. That ties him with Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals for Germany over four different World Cups. A 17th goal would have set the record, but it was not meant to be. While Messi is still tied for the most goals, he will likely score the record-breaking goal. He has time in the game with Austra while also having one more Group Stage game, and then time in the knockout round.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe will play later in the day. They play at 5 p.m. ET, and Mbappe is sitting with 14 goals all-time. He will be looking for a magical game to match Messi and pass him at some point.
Meanwhile, Argentina is tied with Austria at 0-0 after the hydration break and in the 28th minute of play.
