Messi Sets World Cup Goal Record as Argentina Advance

Two days shy of his 39th birthday Lionel Messi scored a brace to be World Cup's all-time top scorer and take Argentina to the Round of 32 with a 2-0 victory in Dallas on Monday.

The Argentina skipper helped set up his nation's second win of this campaign and scored this 17th and 18th goals to overtake former Germany striker Miroslav Klose's mark of 16 strikes.

After missing a penalty, Messi scored in the 38th minute with a typical shot from the edge of the box after initiating above and receiving the return ball from the left flank.

His sweeping left footer enabled him to join France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho as the third man to score in six successive World Cup games.

Austria hung in there till the very end but was ultimately done in by the persistence of Messi in the fifth minute of added time as he as he smashed a rebound into the net after his initial shot was blocked.

With five goals in two matches, Messi is already the leading contender for the Golden Boot award.

Player of the Match:Lionel Messi (Argentina)

After the match Lionel Messi, Argentina Captain said,"To be honest, I’m really happy about the win, especially as it’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned, but one that gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead. This is the World Cup; it was a very evenly matched, very intense match, and we’re happy to have picked up six points and to have already qualified."

Lionel Messi takes the honours as your @MichelobUltra Superior Player of the Match. 👏

#FIFAWorldCup #SuperiorPOTM pic.twitter.com/Bv5jp7jNR6

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 22, 2026