Lionel Messi missed a penalty kick in the ninth minute of Argentina's match against Austria on Monday, after a video review set up the possibility of him breaking the World Cup scoring record.
Messi's left-footed kick went just wide of the right post, leaving him at 16 goals and even with Germany striker Miroslav Klose for the most in the World Cup. Messi is now 4 of 7 on penalty kicks in regulation play at the World Cup with with misses in three consecutive tournaments.
Lautaro Martinez was running free in the box when he was tackled from behind by Xaver Schlager and Stefan Posch, the defender playing with a broken jaw. Schalger got a foot on the ball, but Posch drew the penalty because he did not touch the ball as Martinez tumbled to the ground.
Play continued for more than a minute with Martinez still on the ground near the goal. When play was stopped for him, officials went to review the play.
Messi's miss came two days before his 39th birthday, and amid the concern of an ailing father back at home.
Messi's had his first hat trick at a World Cup in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the Group J opener last Tuesday night in Kansas City.
That hat trick by Messi, in his 200th international appearance, came 20 years to the date of his World Cup debut, when he also scored. He is playing in sixth World Cup, and Monday was his FIFA-record 28th match in the tournament.
Messi's father has been undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, the family said in a statement last week while not providing any specifics.
The 68-year-old Jorge Messi has played a key role in his third son’s soccer career, acting as his agent and managing his business affairs off the field.
Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion after scoring his first goal against Algeria, and said after that match his tears came following some tough days not related to soccer.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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