Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina advances

Lionel Messi cemented his legendary status on Monday, scoring twice to guide defending champions Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J clash. The win secured Argentina's passage to the knockout stage.

Messi's brace not only sealed the win but also rewrote the record books. He became the all-time leading goalscorer in men's FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose. Messi's first goal in the 38th minute moved him past Klose's tally of 16, and a stoppage-time strike took his World Cup total to 18.

“

With his brace, Messi not only secured victory for his side but also rewrote the record books by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men's FIFA World Cup history ahead of his 39th birthday on June 24, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose.

The 38-year-old forward also achieved another milestone, becoming the second player in men's World Cup history to score four or more goals in three different editions of the tournament. He now leads the current World Cup scoring charts with five goals in two matches, following a hat-trick in Argentina's opener.

“

He opened the scoring in the 38th minute to move past Klose's tally of 16 goals and later added another in stoppage time to take his overall World Cup tally to 18 goals, two ahead of the German legend.

Despite a missed penalty in the sixth minute, Messi broke the deadlock before halftime. Austria pressed hard after the break, but Argentina's tactical substitutions helped them manage the game. Messi sealed the victory with a clinical finish on the counter-attack in the 95th minute.

With this win, Argentina tops Group J with six points from two matches. Messi has also equaled the record for scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches, a mark shared with Just Fontaine and Jairzinho.

“

The 38-year-old has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches and has equalled the all-time record of six straight World Cup games with a goal, a mark jointly held by France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho.