Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to knockout stage
A crowd of more than 70,000 people witnessed history in Arlington, Texas, on Monday afternoon as soccer icon Lionel Messi scored the 17th and 18th goals in his FIFA World Cup career, setting the all-time record for the tournament and leading Argentina to a 2-0 victory against Austria.
Messi passed Germany's Miroslav Klose for the record, sending a left-footed strike into the back of the net in the 38th minute that gave Argentina a 1-0 lead against Austria in Group J play. Messi nearly had the record earlier in the game, but he missed a penalty kick wide right, leaving the crowd stunned.
The goal came two days before Messi's 39th birthday and amid the concern of an ailing father back at home. It was the sixth consecutive World Cup game in which Messi has scored a goal.
"There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it," Messi said.
In the waning seconds of injury time, Messi extended his record by sending a shot through several defenders after Schlager turned away his first attempt. He entered the game even with Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals over four World Cups from 2002-14.
Messi added another goal in the stoppage time, sealing the victory for Argentina and securing a place in the knockout round.
Messi was only in position to set the record on Monday because he netted his first career FIFA World Cup hat trick in Argentina's opening game against Algeria.
Two days before his 39th birthday and with an ailing father back home, Messi celebrated twice with teammates to the delight of the decidedly pro-Argentine crowd at the sold-out home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Most of those fans were wearing Messi's familiar No. 10 jersey with white and blue stripes, dwarfing the small pockets of red-clad Austrian supporters under the retractable roof that offered air-conditioned comfort on the second day of what is sure to be another hot Texas summer.
The scoring record came 40 years to the day since Maradona's "goal of the century" - another No. 10 who made a solo run from the other side of midfield to give Argentina a two-goal lead in a 2-1 victory over England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals in Mexico City. Argentina went on to win the title.
Messi joined Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to score in six straight World Cup games. Argentina extended its winning streak in the tournament to eight since a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in its 2022 opener in Qatar.
Messi has scored all five of Argentina goals in the tournament and has 12 World Cup goals since turning 35. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as soccer's best player in Europe had his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in its Group J opener last week in Kansas City.
Austria, which opened with a 3-1 victory over Jordan, can advance with a win over Algeria on Saturday in Kansas City.
Fans in North Texas could have another chance to see Messi add to his record on Saturday if he takes the pitch as Argentina takes on Jordan at 9 p.m. for the final match of the Group Stage.
