By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-06-22 20:05:39 | Updated at 2026-06-23 15:16:30
19 hours ago
Lionel Messi became the all-time top goalscorer at the World Cup after producing a fine curled finish to give Argentina the lead against Austria.
Messi had entered the match level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals, following his hat-trick in Argentina's tournament opener against Algeria.
The 38-year-old had missed an early chance to break the outright record after sending a penalty wide of the target after nine minutes.
Messi would not require long to achieve the landmark, as the Argentina captain finished off a flowing move from the holders.
Messi swept home with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area after Thiago Almada had intelligently dummied Facundo Medina's cross.
'It's a brilliant goal, great move, it was just a matter of time,' BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy said.
Lionel Messi broke the all-time goalscoring record at the World Cup with his 17th strike
The Argentina captain curled in from the edge of the box to move clear of Miroslav Klose
Messi's record is expected to come under immediate pressure from France's Kylian Mbappe
'Lionel Messi keeps getting in those great areas with the free role he has got.
'For him, that's an easy finish, the only surprise was that he didn't score earlier.
'His football intelligence is off the charts, he just finds space and the timing is great from the best player I've ever seen.'
Messi also became just the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches after France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho, who did so in 1958 and 1970 respectively.
The Argentina captain extended his record to 18 goals in second half stoppage time.
Messi initially looked to provide an assist for Julian Alvarez, who saw his effort denied by Austria's goalkeeper.
After the ball came back loose, it was fed back to Messi who rounded Austria's goalkeeper before seeing an effort blocked by a defender.
Messi regained posession on the rebound and slotted into the net to seal a 2-0 victory for Argentina.
The 38-year-old had set his sights on back-to-back World Cup hat-tricks with a free kick deep into stoppage time, but sent his effort wide of the target.
Messi extended his record by scoring his 18th World Cup goal in second half stoppage time
Messi latched onto a rebound after his own shot was blocked to seal Argentina's 2-0 victory
Messi has now scored five goals in two matches to lead the race for the golden boot
Messi's tally of 18 goals has been achieved in 28 matches at the World Cup.
The new landmark is expected to come under immediate pressure from France's Kylian Mbappe.
The French star is just four goals behind Messi's tally having scored 14 goals in 15 matches to date at the World Cup.
Messi currently leads the golden boot race at the World Cup having netted five times in two matches, with the victory having already confirmed Argentina's place in the knock-out stages.
The Argentina talisman was embraced post-match by his team-mates, as well as Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Muller, who were conducting punditry work for German television.
BBC pundit Oliver Giroud claimed that Messi, despite being 38, was more decisive than ever for Argentina's national team.
'Lionel Messi has got the players around him just looking for him,' Giroud said.
'They play for him and that's a huge honour for them, they have so much respect for him, it's such a privilege for them to play with him.
'They are ready to die on the pitch for him and give everything to get another World Cup back-to-back.
'He is more decisive than ever.'
