Argentina captain Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance on the world stage, smashing the FIFA World Cup’s all-time scoring record while guiding the defending champions to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their second Group J match at Dallas Stadium early Tuesday morning.
The 39-year-old superstar struck twice, finding the net in the 38th minute and deep into stoppage time, as Argentina secured a second consecutive win and booked their place in the knockout rounds with a perfect six-point haul.
Messi’s opening goal saw him surpass the long-standing World Cup scoring record previously held by German legend Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals during his illustrious tournament career.
The Argentine icon now sits alone at the top with 18 World Cup goals after adding a second strike in the dying moments of the match. His latest achievement further cements his status as one of football’s greatest-ever players.
The night, however, nearly began in frustration for Messi after he failed to convert a penalty in just the ninth minute. Despite the setback, he remained the driving force behind Argentina’s relentless attack.
Austria frustrated the reigning world champions for large periods with a disciplined defensive display, but Argentina’s constant pressure eventually paid off. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Messi started a slick attacking move before finishing off a low cross from Facundo Medina inside the penalty area.
The goal not only gave Argentina the lead but also officially established Messi as the highest scorer in Men’s World Cup history.
Austria attempted to mount a comeback after the interval, creating several opportunities through set-pieces and dangerous crosses. However, they were unable to beat Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who marshalled the defence effectively throughout the contest.
Messi completed his memorable night in the 95th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound inside the box to seal a comfortable 2-0 victory and send Argentina into the last 32.
The result leaves Argentina with maximum points from their opening two matches and confirms their progression to the next stage of the tournament. Austria, meanwhile, remain on three points and must now battle Algeria in their final group fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Messi’s latest record is the culmination of an extraordinary World Cup journey that began with his tournament debut in 2006. The clash against Austria marked his 28th World Cup appearance, adding yet another milestone to an already legendary international career.
He had previously matched Klose’s record after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener.
The football legend has also now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, equalling the achievements of French great Just Fontaine and Brazilian icon Jairzinho.
Remarkably, all five of Argentina’s goals at the 2026 World Cup have come from Messi, underlining his immense influence as the Albiceleste continue their quest to successfully defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
