<p>Lionel Messi scored a brace against Austria in Argentina’s second group game to power the defending champions into the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockouts. Messi also broke the record for the most goals in the competition's history by netting his 18th World Cup goal—two clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose. He surpassed Klose's tally with a stunner in the 38th minute before smashing one in stoppage time (95th minute) to help Argentina beat Austria 2-0. In two contested matches thus far, Argentina has scored five goals, with every single one coming from Messi's boots.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🇦🇷 OFFICIAL: LEO MESSI IS WORLD CUP TOP SCORER EVER WITH 17 GOALS. 🌎🤩 <a href="https://t.co/WhUddnewOY">pic.twitter.com/WhUddnewOY</a></p>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2069113158078255401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<p>Earlier in his team’s tournament opener against Algeria, Messi scored his maiden World Cup hat-trick and, with that, equalled Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals. Needing just one to get past the former Germany striker, Messi netted in the first half against Austria, with the Dallas crowd erupting in joy.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Messi is playing at his sixth FIFA World Cup, having made his debut back in 2006. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner helped his team win its third world title in the previous edition in Qatar and now aims to repeat the feat in North America. Should Argentina win the 2026 edition, they will become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back titles.</p><h3>Tears, joy and records</h3><p>After shedding tears following his first goal in Argentina’s title defence opener against Algeria last week, Messi revealed that his father is recovering from an unspecified health issue. However, amid personal travails and a troubled build-up to the tournament due to a hamstring injury, Messi’s feats bring joy to him, his team and the countless fans watching worldwide.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all," said midfielder Alexis Mac Allister after the win against Algeria.</p><h3>All Hail King Messi</h3><p>Messi continued his purple patch in the second half, with Argentina looking confident on the pitch. Although both teams failed to find the back of the net at least until the regular time, Messi found a little window late into the stoppage time to score a screamer and collect his 18th World Cup goal.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Messi’s second goal of the match increased his tally for this edition alone to five, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner breaking multiple records during this outing. Registering the most World Cup goals tops the list, and also for the most appearances and most minutes played among others.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>Argentina will next face Jordan in their last group stage game on Sunday (Jun 28) at the same venue.&nbsp;</p>

History made in Dallas! Lionel Messi scores his record-breaking 17th goal to surpass Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup top scorer during Argentina's game against Austria. Full match details, penalty drama, and stats inside.

Lionel Messi scored a brace against Austria in Argentina’s second group game to power the defending champions into the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockouts. Messi also broke the record for the most goals in the competition's history by netting his 18th World Cup goal—two clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose. He surpassed Klose's tally with a stunner in the 38th minute before smashing one in stoppage time (95th minute) to help Argentina beat Austria 2-0. In two contested matches thus far, Argentina has scored five goals, with every single one coming from Messi's boots.

<p>History made in Dallas! Lionel Messi scores his record-breaking 17th goal to surpass Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup top scorer during Argentina's game against Austria. Full match details, penalty drama, and stats inside.</p>

Messi's record-breaking brace against Austria powers Argentina to World Cup knockouts

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Messi's record-breaking brace against Austria powers Argentina to World Cup knockouts