Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance on Monday night, scoring both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria and guiding the reigning world champions into the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The win at Dallas Stadium secured Argentina’s place in the Round of 32 after two consecutive victories in Group J, while Messi once again reinforced his status as one of football’s greatest players with a record-breaking display.
Argentina entered the match knowing that three points would virtually guarantee progression to the next round. While the team ultimately achieved that objective, the night belonged entirely to Messi, whose two goals not only sealed victory but also elevated him to the top of the World Cup’s all-time scoring charts.
The Argentine captain opened the scoring in the 38th minute before adding a second goal deep into stoppage time at 90+5 minutes. The brace increased his World Cup tally to 18 goals, extending the record he had already surpassed earlier in the tournament when he moved beyond former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s mark of 16 goals.
The two-goal performance also pushed Messi to the top of the scoring standings at the 2026 World Cup. He now has five goals in the tournament, moving ahead of Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David, who each entered the day with three goals.
Argentina’s victory was far from straightforward despite the final scoreline.
The South American side was handed an early opportunity to take the lead in the ninth minute after referee Amin Mohamed Omar awarded a penalty following a VAR review that determined Lautaro Martinez had been fouled inside the Austrian penalty area.
The moment appeared tailor-made for Messi to make history.
Instead, the 38-year-old missed from the spot, sending a low effort wide of the target and leaving the score level.
It was an unusually rare miss from a player renowned for thriving under pressure, but Messi refused to let the setback define his evening.
Nine minutes later he nearly found redemption after receiving a through ball inside the Austrian penalty area. He slipped past a defender and created space for a shot, only for goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to react quickly and deny him.
Austria showed signs of attacking ambition as well.
Marcel Sabitzer tested Argentina’s defense with a powerful strike in the 23rd minute, but the effort failed to trouble goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as Argentina gradually established greater control of possession.
The breakthrough eventually arrived seven minutes before halftime.
Facundo Medina advanced down the left flank and delivered a low cross into the center of the penalty area. Messi timed his movement perfectly, arriving between defenders before guiding a precise finish into the bottom-left corner.
The goal sent Argentine supporters into celebration and simultaneously etched another chapter into football history.
With that strike, Messi officially became the highest-scoring player in World Cup history, moving ahead of Klose and establishing a new benchmark for future generations.
Argentina carried its 1-0 lead into halftime, but Austria continued to search for an equalizer after the restart.
A dangerous free kick in the 54th minute offered Austria hope after Romero fouled Konrad Laimer near the edge of the penalty area. Sabitzer curled a well-placed effort toward goal, but Martinez produced a strong save to preserve Argentina’s advantage.
As the second half progressed, Argentina generated additional opportunities to extend its lead.
Nicolas Gonzalez came close in the 74th minute when he rose unmarked to meet a corner delivered by Messi. His header narrowly missed the target, allowing Austria to remain within striking distance.
For much of the closing stages, it appeared Messi’s first-half goal would stand as the decisive moment.
Austria struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, while Argentina focused on controlling possession and managing the clock.
Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Messi produced one final moment of brilliance.
The move began with a counterattack orchestrated by the Argentine captain himself. After releasing Julian Alvarez down the left side, Messi continued his run into the penalty area. Alvarez’s attempt was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly to Messi.
With defenders scrambling around him, he calmly gathered possession, dribbled into space and unleashed a powerful finish that left Schlager with no chance.
The goal sealed the victory and provided a fitting conclusion to another memorable night in Messi’s remarkable international career.
The performance also earned him man-of-the-match honors.
According to football statistics platform FotMob, Messi received a match rating of 8.7, the highest of any player on the field. His influence extended beyond the goals, as he consistently dictated Argentina’s attacking rhythm and created opportunities throughout the contest.
The timing of the performance added another layer of significance.
Messi is set to celebrate his 39th birthday on June 24, just one day after the match. At an age when most players have long since retired or moved into supporting roles, the Argentine superstar continues to perform at the highest level on football’s biggest stage.
His five goals through Argentina’s opening two matches have already made him one of the standout players of the tournament, and his latest display suggested there may be more history still to come.
Argentina now sits atop Group J with six points from two matches, three points clear of Austria. The Albiceleste will conclude the group stage against Jordan on June 28 before turning their attention to the knockout rounds.
For Argentina, qualification was the primary objective.
For Messi, it was another night of records, milestones and reminders that even approaching 39 years old, he remains capable of dominating the world’s biggest football tournament.
