Lionel Messi’s Panenka Penalty Miss – Breaking News Update
Lionel Messi Panenka Penalty Miss, the talisman of Inter Miami, left fans stunned on September 13, 2025, after missing a daring Panenka-style penalty in a crucial MLS clash against Charlotte FC. The miss came in the 32nd minute, with goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina reading the trick perfectly and denying Messi’s attempt.
The failed spot-kick shifted the momentum, allowing Charlotte FC to dominate. Rising star Idan Toklomati delivered a sensational hat-trick, sealing a 3-0 victory and handing Charlotte their ninth consecutive MLS win, a new club record.
Match Highlights at a Glance of Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC
| Event | Minute | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty Miss | 32’ | Messi’s Panenka attempt saved by Kahlina |
| Goal | 39’ | Toklomati opens scoring for Charlotte |
| Goal | 67’ | Toklomati doubles the lead |
| Goal | 84’ | Toklomati completes his hat-trick |
📊 Match Highlights – Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami CF (September 13, 2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Charlotte FC 3 – 0 Inter Miami CF |
| Venue | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
⚡ Key Moments
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 32’ | Messi’s Panenka penalty saved by Kristijan Kahlina (score stayed 0-0) |
| 34’ | Idan Toklomati scored first goal, assisted by Kerwin Vargas |
| 47’ | Toklomati doubled the lead with his second goal |
| 79’ | Tomás Avilés (Inter Miami) received a yellow card |
| 84’ | Toklomati completed hat-trick with a penalty kick (3-0) |
| 90’+2 | Pep Biel missed a late chance (assist by Liel Abada) |
🏆 Game Impact
| Impact | Details |
|---|---|
| Charlotte’s Streak | Extended to 9 consecutive wins, tying MLS record |
| Inter Miami | Defensive struggles & Messi’s missed penalty marked the turning point |
📈 Match Statistics
| Stat | Charlotte FC | Inter Miami CF |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 41.9% | 58.1% |
| Shots (Total/On Target) | 10 (4) | 10 (5) |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 5 |
| Saves | 5 (Kahlina) | 1 (Ustari) |
| Yellow Cards | 2 (Bronico 43’, another) | 3 (Fray 22’, Avilés 79’, another) |
🧾 Lineups
Charlotte FC (4-3-3): Kahlina – Byrne, Ream, Malanda, Marshall-Rutty – Westwood, Diani, Bronico – Vargas, Toklomati, Zaha.
Subs: Pep Biel, Liel Abada, Tyger Smalls, others.
Inter Miami CF (4-4-2): Ustari – Alba, Falcón, Avilés, Fray – Busquets, Bright, Segovia, De Paul – Allende, Messi.
Subs: Noah Allen, others.
📝 Additional Notes
- Charlotte moved to 3rd in MLS standings with 53 points (17-2-11).
- Inter Miami stayed at 46 points (13-7-6) despite defeat.
- Messi’s performance: 1/2 shots on target, 29 passes, 2 key passes, 1/7 duels won, 17 lost possessions.
- Media described it as a “chastening defeat” for Inter Miami.
Fan Reactions: A Social Media Storm 🌪️
Messi’s Panenka miss instantly went viral, sparking debates across X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
- Some fans admired his courage: “Only Messi would dare a Panenka at 0-0!”
- Others criticized the risk: “Wrong time for experiments, Leo!”
- Charlotte fans celebrated Kahlina as the hero of the night.
The hashtags #Messi, #InterMiami, and #CharlotteFC trended worldwide within minutes.
Why Messi Chose a Panenka?
Messi has successfully executed Panenka penalties before, using his calmness to outsmart goalkeepers. But this time, Kahlina anticipated the trick, diving late and staying central. The choice reflected Messi’s confidence, but it also showed how even the greatest can have rare miscalculations.
What This Defeat Means for Inter Miami
Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss has raised concerns about their MLS playoff chances. With Charlotte climbing the table, pressure mounts on Messi and his teammates to bounce back quickly. Without Luis Suárez, Miami lacked attacking sharpness, relying heavily on Messi’s creativity.
Key Takeaways ⚡
- Messi’s missed Panenka was the turning point of the match.
- Charlotte FC made history with 9 consecutive wins.
- Toklomati’s hat-trick cemented him as a rising MLS superstar.
- Inter Miami now face an uphill battle for playoff qualification.
FAQs – Lionel Messi’s Penalty Miss vs Charlotte FC
Q1. When did Messi miss the penalty against Charlotte FC?
👉 Messi missed the penalty in the 32nd minute of the game on September 13, 2025. The score was 0-0 at that point, and the miss turned out to be the key moment that shifted momentum in Charlotte’s favor.
Q2. Who saved Messi’s Panenka penalty?
👉 Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina guessed correctly, stayed central, and comfortably saved Messi’s Panenka attempt. The save drew loud cheers from the home crowd and gave Charlotte a huge psychological boost.
Q3. What was the final score of Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC?
👉 Charlotte FC secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Inter Miami at Bank of America Stadium. The win extended Charlotte’s impressive run of form while exposing Miami’s defensive and attacking struggles.
Q4. Who scored the goals for Charlotte FC?
👉 Idan Toklomati was the star of the night, scoring all three goals for Charlotte. His hat-trick came in the 34th, 47th, and 84th minutes, making it his first MLS hat-trick and one of the standout performances of the season.
Q5. How many consecutive wins does Charlotte now have?
👉 Charlotte FC reached 9 straight victories in MLS, which is a new club record. This streak also tied the league’s overall consecutive win record, underlining their status as one of the most in-form teams in 2025.
Q6. Why did Messi choose a Panenka penalty?
👉 Messi has successfully used the Panenka style in the past to outsmart goalkeepers, but it’s always a risky option. This time it backfired, as Kahlina anticipated the trick. Many fans debated whether this was overconfidence or just a bold decision that didn’t work out.
Q7. Did Messi score or assist in this match?
👉 No, Messi did not register a goal or an assist in this game. Apart from the missed penalty, he struggled to influence the match and was well contained by Charlotte’s organized defense.
Q8. Was Luis Suárez playing for Inter Miami?
👉 No, Suárez did not feature in the match as he was serving a suspension. His absence left Inter Miami without their usual attacking partner for Messi, which heavily impacted their offensive rhythm.
Q9. How did fans react to Messi’s miss?
👉 The reactions were mixed on social media. Some praised Messi for his confidence in attempting a Panenka, while others criticized him for taking such a risk in an important match. The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the MLS weekend.
Q10. What’s next for Inter Miami in MLS?
👉 Inter Miami need to regroup quickly if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. With only a few games left in the regular season, every match is now a must-win, and the team will have to improve defensively while finding sharper finishing up front.
Q11. How did Messi’s penalty miss affect the match?
👉 The missed penalty completely shifted the momentum. Just two minutes later, Charlotte scored their opening goal, and from then on, they dominated the match. Miami, despite having more possession, looked shaken and never recovered their composure.
Q12. What were Messi’s match stats?
👉 Messi had a frustrating outing: 0 goals, 0 assists, 1/2 shots on target (the missed penalty), 29 passes completed, 2 key passes, 0/7 duels won, and 17 instances of lost possession. It was one of his quieter performances in an Inter Miami shirt.
Q13. What were the key match statistics overall?
👉 Inter Miami had 58% possession compared to Charlotte’s 42%. Both sides managed 10 shots, but Charlotte were more clinical with 3 goals from 4 shots on target. Kahlina made 5 saves for Charlotte, while Ustari made just 1. Miami also picked up 3 yellow cards compared to Charlotte’s 2.
Q14. How does this result impact the standings?
👉 With the win, Charlotte moved to 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points, strengthening their playoff position. Inter Miami, meanwhile, slipped to 6th place with 46 points, putting more pressure on them to secure qualification in the remaining fixtures.
Q15. What did coach Javier Mascherano say about the loss?
👉 Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano defended Messi after the game, saying the team’s problems went beyond the missed penalty. He emphasized that Messi had carried the team all season and that defensive mistakes were the real reason for the defeat.
Q16. Where can fans watch match highlights?
👉 Official highlights are available on Charlotte FC’s YouTube channel, MLSsoccer.com, and ESPN. Fans with a subscription to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass can also watch the full match replay.
Q17. Did Charlotte FC respond on social media?
👉 Yes, Charlotte FC shared a clip of Kahlina’s penalty save with the caption “Don’t Test The GOAT”, cheekily referring to their goalkeeper. The post quickly went viral, drawing thousands of fan reactions worldwide.