Lionel Messi continues to produce performances that cement his status as the greatest footballer ever to play the game — and yet, one stubborn flaw refuses to disappear from his record at the 2026 World Cup.

The Argentina captain delivered another match-defining display against Egypt in the last 16, scoring once and providing an assist as the defending champions completed one of the most breathtaking comebacks in World Cup history, recovering from 2-0 down in the final ten minutes to win 3-2. Cristian Romero pulled one back before Messi equalised, and Enzo Fernández sealed the win in stoppage time.

Along the way, Messi broke yet more records. He became the oldest player ever to both score and assist in a World Cup match — a record he himself had previously set. He has now achieved that feat five times in World Cup football, with no other player managing it more than three times since records began in 1966. He also moved clear as the competition's all-time leading assist provider with nine, overtaking Diego Maradona.

The one weakness that remains

But against Egypt, Messi also created an unwanted piece of history. With Argentina trailing 1-0, Nicolas Tagliafico was brought down in the box and Messi stepped up from the spot. His effort lacked both power and direction — goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir guessed correctly and made a comfortable save.

It was Messi's second missed penalty of the tournament, having also failed from 12 yards against Austria in the group stage. No player in World Cup history has ever missed two penalties in normal time at a single edition. Across his World Cup career, excluding shootouts, Messi has now converted only four of his eight penalties.

Messi acknowledged the miss in candid terms. The 39-year-old revealed he broke down in tears after the final whistle despite Argentina's dramatic victory.