Messi breaks World Cup scoring record in Argentina's victory over Austria
Lionel Messi etched his name into football history during Argentina's 2-0 win against Austria in the 2026 World Cup group stage, played in Arlington, Texas. The 38-year-old Argentine captain surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose to become the tournament's all-time leading goal scorer, a distinction previously held across all World Cup competitions. Messi's record-breaking moment came in the 38th minute, with an assist from Facundo Medina. He went on to score a second goal in the match, further extending his historic tally. Multiple sources confirm he reached 17 goals, though at least one account indicates he may have scored an 18th goal during the contest. His achievement spans six consecutive World Cup tournaments in which he has found the net, matching a separate tournament record. The milestone caps a career marked by sustained excellence across multiple World Cup cycles. Messi's latest record comes as Argentina continues its defense of its World Cup title in the group stage. The performance demonstrates the Argentine team's dominance in their opening group matches, with the two-goal margin over Austria highlighting their offensive strength in the tournament.
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