Messi Breaks World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Advances to Knockout Stage

Lionel Messi surpassed Miroslav Klose's 16-goal World Cup record on Monday, scoring twice in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The 38-year-old's brace extended his tournament goal tally to 18, making him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. The goals came despite Messi's ninth-minute penalty miss, with his first goal arriving in the 38th minute and his second in injury time. The victory secured Argentina's advance to the Round of 16 and locked the defending champions at the top of Group J with six points from two matches.

Messi's record-breaking performance came two days before his 39th birthday and continues an extraordinary individual tournament. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored all five of Argentina's goals at the 2026 World Cup, including a hat trick in the team's opening 3-0 win over Algeria. This marks his sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, and he joined Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. Remarkably, Messi has 12 World Cup goals since turning 35.

The match itself proved competitive, with Austria mounting sustained pressure that disrupted Argentina's usual possession-based style. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick noted his team's inability to neutralize Argentina's counter-attacks, while also disputing the legitimacy of Argentina's opening goal, claiming a foul preceded the play that resulted in the 38th-minute strike. Despite Austria's efforts, the team could not break through Argentina's defense, though Patrick Wimmer came close with a header in the second half.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni tempered expectations about his team's World Cup prospects despite the dominant performance. "There are many teams that can win this World Cup, maybe seven or eight," Scaloni said, emphasizing that "this tournament isn't only about favorites or individual players." He praised his team's resilience and adaptability after being pressed early by Austria, noting the importance of suffering together and finding solutions when unable to control possession. Argentina will face Jordan in its group finale on Saturday as it pursues Group J leadership.

Miroslav Klose, the previous record-holder, offered gracious congratulations to Messi. "For me, Lionel Messi is the best of all time. Congratulations, champ!" said Klose, now managing German second-tier club FC Nurnberg. The historic milestone occurred exactly 40 years to the day after Diego Maradona's "goal of the century" against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, another iconic moment in Argentine World Cup history.

Argentina's progression maintains an eight-match winning streak in the tournament since their shocking opening loss to Saudi Arabia in Qatar in 2022. The team will face the runner-up of Group H—likely Cape Verde or Uruguay—in the Round of 32 on Friday, July 3, in Miami, where Messi plays in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami.