FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi’s Record Goals Take Argentina Into Knockouts - ARG vs AUT Player Ratings
Messi scored twice, including his 17th World Cup goal, as Argentina advanced to the knockout rounds and stayed on track for back-to-back titles.
- On Monday, Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 at Dallas Stadium, with Captain Lionel Messi scoring twice to secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout round.
- Chasing the first back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles in 64 years, Argentina relied on Messi's 39th-minute strike, which marked his 17th tournament goal and surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer.
- Before 70,649 fans, Messi punctuated the victory with a stoppage-time goal despite missing a 7th-minute penalty. The moment coincided with the 40th anniversary of Diego Armando Maradona's "Hand of God" and "the slaloming run that left seven English players strewn across the pitch."
- Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, who wrote a letter to Messi at age 16, reflected on their bond. "I would write something much more emotional," Fernández said of his relationship with the captain.
- Undefeated 2024 Copa América champions, Argentina arrived with 17 of 26 roster players from the 2022 title run. Coach Lionel Scaloni, 48, suggested this team's ceiling is even higher than in Qatar.
49 Articles
49 Articles
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Argentina qualified for the 16th final thanks to its success against Austria this Monday (2-0), thanks to two new goals by Lionel Messi, who alone becomes the recordman of goals scored in
Lionel Messi needs a few runs for the new World Cup top brand - there is also a shot-out Elfer. But then the superstar trumps up against Austria. Argentina is in the K.-o. round.
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