Lionel Messi scores brace as Argentina beat Austria 2–0 at World Cup 2026 | World Cup 2026 News
Messi Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer in World Cup History as Argentina Advances
ARLINGTON, Texas (June 22, 2026) — Lionel Messi made history Monday night, scoring twice to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria and secure a spot in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup.
The 38-year-old captain struck in the 38th minute, converting a left-footed shot following a well-executed play. This goal marked Messi’s 17th in World Cup competition, surpassing the previous record held by Miroslav Klose.
Despite a missed penalty early in the match, Messi capped off the victory with a second goal deep into injury time. After a scramble in the box, he outmaneuvered four defenders to find the back of the net.
The match, held at the AT&T Stadium, drew a crowd of 70,649, a majority of whom were ardent Argentine supporters.
Argentina’s win allowed them to secure a place in the knockout stage, having already achieved a victory over Algeria in their previous match. Austrian manager Ralf Rangnick opted for a defensive strategy, resulting in his team failing to register a shot on target in the first half.
Messi had an opportunity to open the scoring early when Argentina was awarded a penalty after Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the box. However, his shot was weak and wide of the goal, much to the dismay of the Argentine fans.
Despite this setback, Messi’s first goal came shortly after, following a setup from teammate Facundo Medina, who was assisted by Thiago Almada’s clever play.
In the second half, Argentina maintained control without creating significant threats, while Austria struggled to generate scoring opportunities. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez faced little pressure but was forced to make a key save late in the game.
Messi’s contributions continued to shine, and after a rebound from Julian Alvarez’s initial shot was saved, he made sure to score from close range, sealing the victory for Argentina.
Post-match, Messi expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and looked forward to the upcoming challenges. “I’m really happy about the win, especially as it’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned,” he said in an interview with Telemundo. “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.”
