Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina advances

Lionel Messi continues to redefine football greatness, adding another chapter to his legendary career by becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. The Argentine superstar netted twice against Austria, bringing his total World Cup tally to 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16.

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Where will he stop? After a resounding hat-trick against Algeria on the first day, Lionel Messi entered (even further) into football legend this Monday, thanks to a brace scored against Austria.

Messi's brace against Austria secured Argentina's second consecutive victory in the tournament, guaranteeing their progression to the Round of 16 without conceding a goal. The reigning champions showcased a strong performance, bolstered by a solid midfield featuring Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez, and a deep squad with players like Julian Alvarez providing valuable support from the bench.

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His 17th and 18th goals in the World Cup, surpassing Miroslav Klose and his 16 goals at the top of the scorers' list.

Despite a missed penalty early in the match, Messi demonstrated his resilience and class. He first scored a finesse shot in the first half and added a second goal in stoppage time, reaffirming his status as a generational talent at 38 years old. His performance has fueled optimism for Argentina's chances of achieving a historic back-to-back World Cup title.

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The day had started badly for the Argentine, with a missed penalty and two missed chances in the box. But the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner did not doubt for long to offer his team a second victory in as many matches.

In contrast, Austria's performance was largely disappointing. Described as timid and technically weak, Ralf Rangnick's team struggled to create meaningful chances. Captain David Alaba, expected to be a leader, had a minimal impact on the game, particularly in defensive contributions, before being substituted in the 67th minute. Austria's defeat means they must regroup and improve significantly to advance in the competition.

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The reigning champion, logically announced among the favorites of this 2026 edition, is living up to its rank in this group stage. After a controlled debut against the Fennecs of Luca Zidane (3-0), the Albiceleste confirmed in this crucial Group J match and is already qualified for the Round of 16, without having conceded a goal.