Lionel Messi produced another unforgettable World Cup moment as Argentina defeated Austria and watched their captain become the outright leading scorer in the tournament’s history.
The 38-year-old scored twice in Dallas to take his World Cup tally to 18 goals, moving two clear of former Germany striker Miroslav Klose. It was another landmark achievement in a career already filled with major records, and it came just days before Messi’s 39th birthday.
Messi had the chance to make history early in the match when Argentina were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. However, his effort went wide, leaving the Austrian players and supporters stunned by the rare miss.
Argentina continued to press, with Messi at the heart of most of their attacking moves. Austria made life difficult for the defending champions with an energetic press and some sharp passing, but Messi eventually found the breakthrough.
Late in the first half, he scored his 17th World Cup goal to equal Klose’s long-standing record. The strike gave Argentina the lead and set the stage for an even bigger moment later in the match.
Messi was not finished. In added time, he showed his usual awareness and determination inside the penalty area to score again after Argentina kept an attack alive. His low finish sent the stadium into celebration as he became the first player to score 18 goals at the World Cup.
The second goal was a fitting example of Messi’s ability to remain involved until the final whistle. He followed the play after Julián Álvarez’s effort was saved and reacted quickly when the ball fell loose, making sure Argentina secured the victory.
Austria had chances to respond during the second half. Emiliano Martínez made an important save from Marcel Sabitzer, while substitute Patrick Wimmer sent a header wide as Austria pushed for an equaliser.
Austria manager Ralf Rangnick was unhappy with a challenge by Alexis Mac Allister in the build-up to Messi’s first goal, but Argentina held firm and saw out the match.
The atmosphere inside the stadium reflected the importance of the occasion, with large sections of the crowd celebrating every touch from Messi. His record-breaking performance added another chapter to Argentina’s World Cup campaign and strengthened their position in the group.
For Messi, the achievement was another reminder that he remains capable of producing decisive moments on football’s biggest stage. Argentina will now look to build on the win, while their captain continues to add to a legacy that already stands among the greatest in the history of the game.
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