Lionel Messi experienced a difficult statistical record on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as he missed his third consecutive penalty kick in official matches. The incident occurred during Inter Miami CF’s 4-1 away defeat to Nashville SC at Geodis Park, a match that held huge implications for the top spot in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami vs Nashville: Lionel Messi’s Penalty
The penalty was awarded in the 23rd minute of the first half after Luis Suarez was fouled in the penalty box. At the time, Inter Miami were already trailing 1-0 following a 17th-minute opening goal from Nashville’s Andy Najar.
🚨JUST IN: Lionel Messi has missed a penalty for Inter Miami that would have leveled the match pic.twitter.com/XE0n2iVZys
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) August 16, 2026
Messi stepped up to take the spot kick, but his attempt was blocked by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake. Inter Miami defender Sergio Regilon reacted to the rebound and tapped the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed by the referee because Regilon had encroached into the penalty area before Messi struck the ball.
🚨🚨| Lionel Messi has missed his 𝟑𝐑𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 consecutive penalty. 😬🇦🇷
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 16, 2026
Lionel Messi a manqué un penalty cette nuit lors du match de l’Inter Miami face à Nashville en MLS. 😡🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/jVAFYn0sng
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) August 16, 2026
Lionel Messi’s Previous Penalty Misses at FIFA World Cup 2026
According to sports data outlets, this marks the first time since 2014 that the Argentine forward has failed to convert three successive penalty kicks. The unwanted streak began earlier in the summer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Playing for the Argentina national team, Messi missed a penalty in the 9th minute of a group stage match against Austria, sending his shot wide to the right. His second consecutive miss came in the Round of 16 against Egypt, where his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Despite missing those penalties, Argentina went on to win both of those respective World Cup matches.
⛔️🇦🇷 LIONEL MESSI ERRÓ EL PENAL Y LE ANULARON EL GOL A REGUILÓN. pic.twitter.com/L8axm8TEm5
— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) August 16, 2026
Inter Miami vs Nashville Standings:
Unlike his recent national team victories, Messi’s penalty miss against Nashville proved costly for Inter Miami. Although the team managed to equalise just before halftime with a goal from Telasco Segovia in stoppage time, assisted by Messi, Nashville dominated the second half. Hany Mukhtar scored twice, and Sam Surridge added a clever back-heeled finish, handing Miami a comprehensive 4-1 defeat.
The result leaves Inter Miami in second place in the Eastern Conference with 38 points, while Nashville SC extended its lead at the top of the table to 43 points, creating a five-point gap between the two sides.
