Lionel Messi etched his name into World Cup history by becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer during Argentina’s crucial 2-0 victory over Austria in Arlington, Texas. The win secured the holders a spot in the last 32 of the competition.
Messi’s first goal came in the 38th minute when he calmly finished low past Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, pushing his total World Cup goals to 17. This landmark goal put him one ahead of Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16. Demonstrating his lethal finishing once again, Messi sealed the match deep into stoppage time with a powerful strike through a cluster of defenders, extending his tally to 18 goals.
Record-Breaking Performance Amidst Pressure
Despite the eventual success, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is approaching his 39th birthday, initially missed a penalty eight minutes into the match, narrowly dragging the shot wide. However, Messi regained composure and seized his opportunity before halftime, confidently placing the ball beyond Schlager to open the scoring.
His second goal not only confirmed the victory but also marked his fifth goal of the tournament, following a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win against Algeria. This remarkable scoring form has been vital in maintaining Argentina’s strong position in the group stage.
With Monday’s result, Argentina has guaranteed progression to the knockout rounds. The team could secure top spot in Group J later the same day if Jordan fail to overcome Algeria, adding further incentive for the South Americans in their upcoming fixtures.