Lionel Messi etched his name further into football immortality on Monday, shattering the FIFA World Cup all-time scoring record as he propelled Argentina to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Austria.
The Argentine captain delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing, netting a brace to secure his nation’s spot in the knockout stages. His two goals moved his career World Cup tally to 18, officially surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose.
Messi broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime, coolly threading a precise finish past Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. With the match locked in a tense, physical battle, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner waited until the final moments of stoppage time to seal the victory. Amidst a dense cluster of defenders, Messi fired a low strike into the net, extending his historic tally and putting the result beyond doubt.
Following his opening-round hat-trick against Algeria, the 37-year-old superstar now boasts five goals in this tournament alone.
“I’m very happy with the victory,” Messi said following the match. “It was hugely important, tough, and hard-fought, and it gives us peace of mind for what’s ahead. The match was evenly balanced and intense, and we’re happy to have earned six points.”
The victory guarantees Argentina a berth in the Round of 32. Should Jordan fail to defeat Algeria in their upcoming fixture, Argentina will officially clinch the top spot in the group.
The historic nature of the performance drew immediate acclaim from Guinness World Records, which confirmed that Messi had reset the standard for longevity and production on football’s grandest stage.
With Monday’s outing, Messi now holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup matches played (28), the most matches won by an individual (18), and the most minutes played in tournament history (2,489).
As the football world looks on, one reality remains clear: we are witnessing history.
