Fans cheekily mock Lionel Messi after Argentina star skies shot in Copa America win against Qatar 

Lionel Messi might be Argentina’s – and Barcelona’s – all-time record goalscorer, but fans were quick to mock the all-time great after he missed an easy chance for his country in their Copa America win over Qatar.

With his side 1-0 up thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s opener, the ball was played back to Messi inside the area but from just eight yards out he managed to skew an effort wide.

The miss was not to prove costly as Sergio Aguero popped up with a decisive second shortly after to confirm Argentina’s quarter-final tie against Venezuela. 

As the ball comes to the Barcelona man, he can only send it over the bar from close range

he reacts with disbelief as the shot disappears into the stands at Arena do Gremio

It is also a welcome win after starting their tournament with a 2-0 defeat by Colombia and then a 1-1 draw with Paraguay, in which Messi levelled with a second-half penalty.

One fan used the miss to compare Messi, who five- Ballon d’Ors and more than 600 career goals, to his great rival, saying: ‘Ronaldo would have buried it’. 

Another said: ‘The greatest ever pfff Pele & company played on these fields everyday smh.’

A third supporter also took the chance to poke fun at Messi, saying: ‘Couldn’t even sine against Qatar. Is this your GOAT?!’ 

While Messi did not score, Inter Milan striker Martinez capitalised on sloppy Qatar defending before poking the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 

Aguero completed the scoring with eight minutes left, when he collected the ball up in midfield, beat two defenders and hammered a low shot beyond the goalkeeper. 

Lautaro Martinez (L) scored the opener for Argentina and Sergio Aguero added the second