Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to knockout stage
Messi scored twice after a missed penalty, moving past Miroslav Klose with 18 World Cup goals and sending Argentina into the knockout stage.
- On Monday, June 22, 2026, Lionel Messi scored twice in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria in Dallas, becoming the outright all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals.
- Messi surpassed Germany striker Miroslav Klose's 16-goal men's World Cup record with his first goal, then eclipsed Brazil's Marta's 17-goal overall record with a stoppage-time strike.
- Despite missing an eighth-minute penalty kick—his third career World Cup spot-kick failure—the 38-year-old captain recovered to score in the 38th minute and again in stoppage time.
- Argentina's victory confirms the defending champions' place in the knockout stage with six points from two group matches, securing their advancement from Group J.
- The team concludes their group stage campaign against Jordan on Saturday at 9 p.m., while Messi prepares to celebrate his 39th birthday on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
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Magic Messi makes World Cup history
Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history as the captain struck twice to give Argentina a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday and send the champions into the last 32. The player widely regarded as the greatest of all time pounced late in the first half in Texas with a trademark left-footed finish after neat build-up play. The predatory goal added to his hat-trick in Argentina's opening match to make it a record 17 in total at the Wo…
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Lionel Messi has become the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer following Argentina 2-0 Austria. Adam Clery has a look at why his opening goal in this game shows how he's been the World's Best Player for two decades now. Click here to become an ACFC member and get access to exclusive videos, members-only community, and discounted merch
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