In stark contrast, Halldorsson, who is also a part-time film-director, plays his football for little known Randers FC in the Danish Superliga.
Messi's miss was the perfect microcosm of the magic of World Cups.
The emphatic rise of the underdog and the fall of world beaters.
This World Cup has also seen defending champions and four time winners Germany struggle.
Their campaign began with a 1-0 loss to Mexico, and only a controversial late winner allowed them to snatch three points from Sweden.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian swagger appeared to be more of a dawdle in their opening encounter against Switzerland.
The Samba Boys could only muster a 1-all stalemate before seeing off Costa Rica thanks to two goals in extra-time.
While seeing the big boys stumble is always entertaining for the neutral, there have also been some wonderful moments unique to this tournament.
You would have expected Panama's supporters to be hoping for the ground to swallow them up while on the receiving end of a 6-1 hiding from England.
But, on the contrary, they were partying like they had won the most converted prize in world football.
For this was the Central American country's first appearance at a World Cup finals.
And when veteran defender Felipe Baloy netted in the 78th minute, the party started for the sea of Panama fans in red, despite trailing by five goals.
The England supporters quickly joined in with their celebrations
The carnival spirit of this World Cup has been fuelled by the belief of the lesser teams
Let's hope the next two weeks will be as entertaining as the first.
