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Messi has scored twice to become the all-time top scorer in men’s World Cup history as Argentina reach the semi-finals.
Updated on 22 Jun 2026
Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in World Cup history when the captain scored twice to score Argentina won 2-0 against Austria and send the champions into the final 32.
The player known for his greatest hit late in the first half at Texas on Monday with the left sign after a good play.
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The ferocious goal added to his hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game to complete the feat 17 in all at the World Cup.
The 38-year-old then sealed the game in injury time after a challenge in the box, where he chased down four defenders who were standing by to keep the ball out.
It would have been great for Messi, who missed an early penalty, to surprise the Argentina crowd of 70,649 at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.
With both teams aware that a win would send them into the playoffs with a game to spare, Lautaro Martinez was brought down in the box, after being tackled by two Austrian players.
Referee Amin Mohamed awarded the penalty after VAR intervention, and a wall of noise went up as Messi went on in the ninth minute.
But his speed was limited and his lack of a target, a heavy draw.
For all his genius, Messi – who turns 39 on Wednesday – is pretty poor in danger by his standards.
He also saw his shot saved by Wojciech Szczesny in a 2-0 win over Poland at the 2022 World Cup, as Argentina became champions, and missed out on the 2018 tournament.
In the 19th minute, Messi had a sniff at goal, but Austrian captain David Alaba stole the ball from his feet at the last minute as he danced towards the goal.
Alaba also denied Messi just before the half-hour mark, blocking his shot with goalkeeper Alexander Schlager missing.
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, who beat Jordan 3-1 in their opening game, were content to sit back. They did not hit the target in the first half.
Messi has made history
And then came the big time, Messi swept home in the 38th minute after being set up by Facundo Medina, Thiago Almada cleverly letting the ball pass through his legs to leave the Argentine charm alone with his own goal.
The Argentinian fans, who outnumbered their Austrian counterparts, rose to their feet to applaud their hero.
Messi had equaled Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 World Cup goals when he hit a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria in the opening match of the tournament.
Lionel Scaloni’s side didn’t get ahead, and the second half was a stalemate, with neither side creating much.
If anything, Austria threatened little, but Argentina midfielder Emiliano Martinez was only troubled once.
Messi then came out to have the final say on his death.
Julian Alvarez’s first attempt was saved by Schlager but the rebound was used for Messi who, seeing his first shot blocked, fired a low shot from six yards that sealed the points.
