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Messi breaks World Cup scoring record with 18th goal for Argentina

From 24.kg · () Russian

Translated from Russian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Lionel Messi scored his 18th goal for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Austria, setting a new tournament record.
  • The goal surpassed Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 goals, making Messi the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
  • Argentina won the match 2-0, with Messi also scoring a second goal in stoppage time.

Lionel Messi has etched his name further into football history, scoring his 18th goal for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Austria. The star forward found the net in the 37th minute, marking his 17th World Cup goal and breaking the previous record held by Germany's Miroslav Klose, who had 16.

The match, held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, saw Argentina secure a 2-0 victory. Messi wasn't finished, adding his second goal of the game in the 95th minute, bringing his total World Cup tally to 18.

This achievement solidifies Messi's status as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway from June 11 to July 19, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Argentina, the reigning world champions, are participating in the tournament.

Messi's record-breaking performance underscores his enduring legacy in the sport. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Argentine captain to see how many more goals he adds to his already remarkable record.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by 24.kg in Russian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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