LIONEL Messi etched his name even deeper into football history after becoming the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with a match-winning brace that secured Argentina a 2-0 victory over Austria and booked the reigning champions' place in the last 32.
The Argentina captain struck either side of half-time at the AT&T Stadium in Texas on Monday, taking his World Cup tally to 18 goals after adding two more to the hat-trick he scored in his nation's opening fixture.
Messi's latest milestone ensured Argentina progressed to the knockout stage with one group match remaining, underlining the 38-year-old's enduring influence on the world champions.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner opened the scoring late in the first half with a trademark left-footed finish following a slick team move, before sealing victory deep into stoppage time by weaving through a crowded penalty area and beating four Austrian defenders during a goalmouth scramble.
The result could have been even more emphatic had Messi converted an early penalty in front of a partisan crowd of 70,649, the majority of whom backed Argentina inside the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys.
With qualification at stake for both teams, Lautaro Martinez won a penalty after being sandwiched between two Austrian defenders inside the area. Referee Amin Mohamed awarded the spot-kick following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Messi stepped up in the ninth minute, but his trademark measured run-up ended with a tame effort that drifted wide of the target.
Despite his remarkable scoring record, penalties have remained one of the few blemishes on Messi's international career.
He also failed to convert from the spot during Argentina's 2-0 victory over Poland at the 2022 FIFA World Cup when his effort was saved by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, while another penalty miss came during the 2018 tournament.
The latest miss, however, proved inconsequential as Messi responded in emphatic fashion to guide Argentina into the knockout rounds and add yet another record to his extraordinary World Cup legacy just days before his 39th birthday. - June 23, 2026
