Lionel Messi kept doing what he’s done for two decades now — rewriting the record book. This time on the biggest stage.
Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in Dallas on Monday wasn’t just another group stage victory. It was the night Messi officially became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, passing Miroslav Klose’s mark of 16 goals and pushing his total to 18. He’s 38 years old and still making history.
Messi came into the match tied with Klose after a hat trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opener. He had a chance to break the record early when the referee awarded a penalty in the 10th minute. Lautaro Martinez got tangled up with Austria’s Stefan Posch and goalkeeper Alex Schlager. VAR confirmed the call. Messi stepped up. And sent the ball wide. It was the kind of miss that makes you wonder if the moment got to him.
It didn’t last long.
In the 38th minute, Messi drifted into the middle of the box, took a pass from Facundo Medina, and slotted a cool finish into the bottom corner. Record broken. The Dallas crowd gave him the kind of ovation you’d expect for the guy widely considered the greatest to ever do it.
He wasn’t done. Deep in stoppage time, after Julian Alvarez had a shot saved, the ball bounced back into the area and Messi smashed it home. Goal number 18. Goal number five of this tournament alone. Argentina is through to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Austria didn’t make it easy. Marcel Sabitzer caused problems from set pieces and forced Emiliano Martinez into a good save on a free kick. Michael Gregoritsch had a header he probably should have put on target. Kevin Danso made a couple of big blocks to keep the scoreline respectable. But Argentina controlled the game for long stretches and looked like a team that knows exactly how to win this thing again.
Enzo Fernandez had an effort blocked. Nico Gonzalez flicked a header wide from a Messi corner. Julian Alvarez kept pressing. The second goal felt inevitable once Austria pushed numbers forward looking for an equalizer that never came.
Argentina faces Jordan in their final group match early Sunday morning. They’ve already locked up a spot in the knockout round. The bigger question is how much more Messi has left in the tank. Based on what we’ve seen so far — two goals against Austria, three against Algeria — the answer might be enough to bring another trophy back to Buenos Aires.
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