Messi becomes all-time World Cup top scorer as Argentina defeats Austria 2-0

Lionel Messi etched his name into World Cup history on June 22, 2026, when he scored both goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria in Group J, becoming the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer. The 38-year-old forward's 17th and 18th World Cup goals moved him two clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose, who held the previous record of 16 goals accumulated between 2002 and 2014. Messi's first goal came in the 38th minute, a first-time finish from just inside the penalty area after a clever setup from Thiago Almada and Facundo Medina, while his second arrived in second-half stoppage time from a tight angle after Julian Alvarez created the opportunity.

Despite the historic achievement, Messi emphasised that advancing Argentina's campaign took precedence over individual records. Speaking to Argentine media, the captain expressed frustration over a penalty miss in the ninth minute but highlighted his team's resilience in controlling the match. "It was a tense, hard-fought match and we managed to do it at times, but the most important thing is to get to the next round," Messi stated. He reflected on the penalty miss, saying his poor execution meant he did not achieve a hat-trick, yet he remained satisfied with the team's overall performance and efforts.

With the victory, Argentina topped Group J with six points, joining Mexico, the United States, and Germany in qualifying for the last 32 of the expanded 48-team tournament. Austria remained in contention with three points from their opening two matches. Messi has now scored five goals across two group stage matches, following a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina's opening 3-0 win. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, runs through July 19 and features the first expanded format in World Cup history. Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup and holds eight Ballon d'Or awards, continues to add to his legacy as one of football's greatest players.