Messi scores twice to turn into all-time main scorer in males’s World Cup historical past as Argentina attain knockout rounds.
Revealed On 22 Jun 2026
Lionel Messi turned the main scorer in World Cup historical past because the captain struck twice to present Argentina a 2-0 win over Austria and ship the champions into the final 32.
The participant broadly thought to be the best of all time pounced late within the first half in Texas on Monday with a trademark left-footed end after neat build-up play.
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The predatory objective added to his hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match to make it 17 in total at World Cups.
The 38-year-old then sealed the match deep in damage time after a scramble within the field, as he outfoxed 4 defenders who lined as much as maintain the ball out.
It ought to have been even higher for Messi, who missed a penalty early on, gorgeous a fiercely pro-Argentina 70,649 crowd on the air-conditioned house of the Dallas Cowboys.
With either side understanding a win would put them into the knockout rounds with a sport to spare, Lautaro Martinez was introduced down within the field, sandwiched by two Austrian gamers.
Referee Amin Mohamed gave a penalty after a VAR intervention, and a wall of noise went up as Messi stepped ahead on 9 minutes.
However his run-up was gradual and his weak effort off course, dragging it huge.
For all his brilliance, Messi – who turns 39 on Wednesday – is surprisingly poor from the penalty spot by his requirements.
He additionally noticed his spot-kick saved by Wojciech Szczesny in a 2-0 win over Poland on the 2022 World Cup, the place Argentina went on to be champions, and missed on the 2018 event.
Within the nineteenth minute Messi had a transparent sniff at objective, just for Austria captain David Alaba to steal the ball off his toes on the final second as he danced by means of on objective.
Alaba denied Messi once more simply after the half-hour mark, blocking his goalbound shot with goalkeeper Alexander Schlager stranded.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, who beat debutants Jordan 3-1 of their opener, have been content material to take a seat again. They didn’t have a shot heading in the right direction within the first half.
Messi makes historical past
After which the got here the large second, Messi sweeping in on 38 minutes after being arrange by Facundo Medina, with Thiago Almada cleverly letting the ball run by means of his legs to go away Argentina’s talisman all on his personal and the objective gaping.
The Argentina followers, who enormously outnumbered their Austrian counterparts, rose to acclaim their hero.
Messi had equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup objectives when hitting a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria within the holders’ opening sport.
Lionel Scaloni’s aspect didn’t construct on their lead, and the second half drifted, with neither aspect creating a lot.
If something, Austria threatened barely extra, however Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was solely as soon as significantly troubled.
After which up popped Messi to have the final phrase on the demise.
Julian Alvarez’s preliminary try was saved by Schlager however the rebound was labored to Messi who, after seeing his first shot blocked, pounced to drive in a low strike from six yards out that confirmed the factors.
Messi instructed Telemundo he was “having fun with the second” and seeing how far his aspect can go.“I’m actually blissful concerning the win, particularly because it’s such a vital victory, hard-fought and well-earned, however one that offers us peace of thoughts for what lies forward,” he stated.
“That is the World Cup; it was a really evenly matched, very intense match, and we’re blissful to have picked up six factors and to have already certified.”
