Record-breaking Messi scores twice as Argentina progress

Lionel Messi once again etched his name into football history with a sensational performance against Austria, scoring twice to guide Argentina into the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup. The victory not only secured Argentina’s place in the last 32 but also saw Messi surpass a long-standing record, becoming the highest goalscorer in World Cup history.

At 38 years old and nearing his 39th birthday, Messi continues to defy expectations and rewrite records. His two goals in this match took his overall World Cup tally to 18, moving him ahead of Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals scored between 2002 and 2014. This milestone further cements Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

The historic moment came in the 38th minute of Argentina’s Group J clash in Dallas. Messi calmly finished from inside the penalty area with a first-time strike after a clever dummy by Thiago Almada allowed Facundo Medina’s pass to roll perfectly into his path. It was a goal that highlighted his awareness, timing, and clinical finishing—qualities that have defined his career for nearly two decades.

Messi’s second goal came late in the match during injury time of the second half. After Julian Alvarez’s effort was denied by Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, Messi reacted quickly, finding space in a tight angle and firing the ball into the net past two defenders. This goal sealed a 2-0 victory and ensured Argentina maintained their perfect start in the tournament.

Interestingly, Messi could have broken the record much earlier in the match. Within the opening 10 minutes, Argentina were awarded a penalty after Stefan Posch fouled Lautaro Martinez, with additional pressure coming from Xaver Schlager. Messi stepped up to take the penalty but surprisingly missed the target, sending the ball wide. Despite that early setback, he quickly recovered and delivered when it mattered most.

Messi’s performance continues a remarkable run of form in the tournament. He had already scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win over Algeria, and with this brace, he now has five goals in just two matches. This makes him the leading scorer in the current World Cup and a strong contender for the Golden Boot award.

Argentina’s victory also confirmed their progression to the knockout stage, joining other qualified teams such as Mexico, the United States, and Germany. With six points from two games, Argentina are in a strong position to top Group J, pending the outcome of the match between Jordan and Algeria.

Austria, meanwhile, remain in contention for qualification despite the defeat. Having secured a win in their opening match against Jordan, they sit on three points and still have a chance to advance depending on their final group game against Algeria.

Analysis: Messi’s Continued Brilliance

Messi’s achievement is even more remarkable when considering his age. A record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, he has continued to perform at the highest level well into his late 30s. Notably, 12 of his 18 World Cup goals have come after he turned 35, underlining his incredible longevity and adaptability.

He has also become only the third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. The only other players to achieve this feat were France’s Just Fontaine in 1958 and Brazil’s Jairzinho in 1970. No player has ever scored in seven consecutive matches, giving Messi the opportunity to break yet another record in the coming games.

Messi’s World Cup journey began 20 years ago when he scored his first goal as a 19-year-old against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. Interestingly, he failed to score in the 2010 tournament in South Africa, but he bounced back strongly in 2014, scoring four goals, including a memorable brace against Nigeria.

He added another goal in the 2018 World Cup, again against Nigeria, before producing a stunning campaign in 2022, where he captained Argentina to victory. In that tournament, he scored seven goals, including two in the final against France, which Argentina won on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Heading into the 2026 World Cup, Messi was just three goals behind Klose’s record. His hat-trick against Algeria brought him level with the German legend, and his double against Austria pushed him ahead, making him the all-time top scorer.

In addition to his World Cup achievements, Messi’s international record is equally impressive. His two goals against Austria brought his total for Argentina to 122 goals in 201 appearances, further solidifying his legendary status.

However, the race for World Cup scoring records may not end with Messi. France’s Kylian Mbappe, currently 27 years old, is already on 14 goals and sits joint fourth on the all-time list. With several matches still to play in this tournament and likely future appearances, Mbappe could eventually challenge Messi’s record.

Argentina will next face Jordan in their final group-stage match, where Messi will look to extend his scoring run. Meanwhile, Austria will take on Algeria in a crucial game that could determine their fate in the tournament.