Argentina captain Lionel Messi has opened up about his frustration after missing a penalty during his side’s FIFA World Cup clash against Austria on Monday, describing the moment as one of anger and disappointment.
The Inter Miami forward failed to convert from the spot in the match but went on to redeem himself in style, scoring twice to guide Argentina to a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Speaking after the game, Messi admitted he did not execute the penalty as intended.
“I was very angry about the penalty because I missed it. I kicked it very badly,” he said, as quoted by GOAL.
He added that Argentina’s ability to recover quickly from the setback was key to securing all three points.
“Luckily, we were able to turn that situation around, take the lead and get the win, which is what matters,” he noted.
Messi also acknowledged the difficulty of matches at the tournament, stressing that every opponent is highly competitive.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy. Every game is tough at the World Cup; no one gives anything away,” he said.
Despite the missed opportunity from the spot, Messi’s brace ensured Argentina maintained momentum in their campaign.
