ARLINGTON, Texas – Lionel Messi added another chapter to his remarkable international career on Monday, scoring twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria to become the outright leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
The Argentina captain entered the match tied with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals but moved clear of the record with two strikes that helped secure Argentina’s second consecutive group-stage victory. The result also ensured Argentina’s place in the tournament’s knockout rounds.
Messi’s achievement came despite an early setback. The 38-year-old forward missed a penalty kick in the ninth minute, sending his left-footed effort just wide of the post. Rather than allowing the miss to define his performance, Messi responded with two goals that underlined his enduring influence on the world stage.
“I’m so happy for the win,” Messi said after the match. He described the contest as difficult and emphasized the importance of securing qualification early in the competition.
Record-Breaking Night in Arlington
The breakthrough arrived in the 38th minute when Messi finished a move involving Thiago Almada and Facundo Medina to score his 17th World Cup goal and move ahead of Klose on the all-time list.
The goal sparked celebrations among the sold-out crowd of 70,649 spectators at the NFL stadium home of the Dallas Cowboys, where Argentina supporters significantly outnumbered Austria fans.
Messi later added his second goal deep into stoppage time. After an initial attempt was stopped by Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, the Argentine star converted the rebound through a crowded penalty area to extend the record to 18 World Cup goals.
The performance came just days after Messi scored his first World Cup hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria, a match that allowed him to equal Klose’s previous mark.
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Argentina Maintains Strong Start
Argentina has now won its opening two matches of the tournament and advanced comfortably into the knockout phase.
Messi has been central to that success. He scored all three goals against Algeria and followed that display with another decisive performance against Austria. His latest goal also marked the sixth consecutive World Cup match in which he has found the net, placing him alongside Just Fontaine and Jairzinho among the few players to achieve that feat.
The match also highlighted Argentina’s resilience. Despite the missed penalty and a tightly contested first half, the South American side maintained control and eventually secured a victory that strengthened its status as one of the tournament favorites.
Praise From Opponents and Teammates
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his captain’s continued excellence after another landmark performance.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick also acknowledged Messi’s impact, noting that the veteran forward remains capable of making the difference at the highest level despite nearing his 39th birthday.
The missed penalty had briefly raised concerns among Argentina supporters. The opportunity came after officials reviewed a challenge on Lautaro Martínez inside the penalty area following a delayed stoppage in play. However, Messi recovered quickly and ultimately delivered the decisive contribution.
Historic Career Continues
Messi’s latest milestone adds to a career already filled with individual honors and records. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was playing his 28th World Cup match, extending his FIFA tournament appearance record.
Klose, whose 16-goal mark had stood since Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph, recently said he expected Messi to surpass the record and welcomed the possibility.
The achievement comes during an emotional period for Messi, whose father, Jorge Messi, has been receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. Family representatives confirmed the health issue last week but provided no additional details.
For now, Argentina’s focus shifts toward the knockout rounds, where Messi will have further opportunities to extend a scoring record that now belongs solely to him.
Tournament Implications
With qualification secured and momentum building, Argentina enters the next phase of the World Cup as one of the leading contenders for the title. Messi’s form has been a major factor, with five goals through the opening stages of the competition.
As the tournament progresses, the record-setting forward continues to reinforce his place among football’s most accomplished figures while helping Argentina pursue another World Cup crown.
Tags: Lionel Messi, Argentina National Team, FIFA World Cup, Austria National Team, Lionel Scaloni, Miroslav Klose, Lautaro Martinez, Alexander Schlager, Group Stage, World Cup Records
