Messi Scores Twice as Argentina Beats Austria 2-0 and He Tops Men's World Cup Goal Record

Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina in a 2-0 victory over Austria on June 22 to become the men's all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals. Messi entered the match in Arlington, Texas, with 16 goals after a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 opening win over Algeria on June 16.

He missed a penalty in the ninth minute against Austria but curled home from a cutback in the 38th minute after Thiago Almada let Facundo Medina's pass run to him.

In injury time he added a second goal after goalkeeper Alexander Schlager saved his initial shot. The result moved Argentina into the knockout stage. Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches since 2022 and has scored all five of Argentina's goals in the 2026 tournament.

He added: "Beyond anything I'm so happy for the win. It was huge, tough and difficult. " Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, is the first player to appear in six men's World Cup tournaments. His 18 goals surpass the previous men's record of 16 held by Miroslav Klose and also exceed Marta’s 17 goals in women's World Cup history.

He has 122 international goals for Argentina.