Lionel Messi moved into uncharted territory in Dallas, scoring twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in Group J and sealed the defending champions’ place in the last 32.
With goals in the 38th and 95th minutes, Messi lifted his World Cup tally to 18, overcoming an earlier penalty miss as Argentina made it two wins from two and advanced on six points.
His opener carried him beyond Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history, and his late second took him past Marta’s 17-goal mark from the women’s tournament, setting a new overall World Cup record.
The Inter Miami creator, who turns 39 on Wednesday, offered another reminder that time has done little to dull his edge, taking his total at these finals to five goals in just two matches.
Argentina had the chance to go ahead earlier after Lautaro Martinez was chopped down in the area by a coming together involving Stefan Posch and Xaver Schlager, though referee Amin Omar only pointed to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor. Messi stepped up but dragged his effort wide.
It marked the third penalty Messi has missed at a World Cup, following earlier failures against Iceland in Russia in 2018 and Poland four years later.
David Alaba did his best to keep Messi quiet, first prodding the ball back toward goalkeeper Alexander Schlager as the forward prepared to pull the trigger, then throwing himself in the way of another effort. Even so, Austria could do little to stop Argentina from eventually breaking through.
Thiago Almada supplied the spark for the opening goal, driving at the box before feeding Facundo Medina to his left. Almada then let the return ball run cleverly through his legs, leaving Messi free and unmarked to guide a composed finish home.
Austria searched for a response early in the second half, and Emi Martinez was forced into action to turn away Marcel Sabitzer’s set-piece after Cristian Romero needlessly conceded a free kick on the edge of the area.
Michael Gregoritsch later sent a looping header over the bar for Ralf Rangnick’s team, who too often lacked the sharpness and precision in the final third needed to seriously unsettle Argentina.
Messi also came close to creating the cushion for Nico Gonzalez, but the substitute could only head a left-sided corner across the face of goal shortly after the hydration break.
The second goal, though delayed, arrived at the last moment through the familiar source.
Julian Alvarez saw his first effort kept out by Schlager, but the rebound broke kindly for Messi, who reacted quickest after an initial shot was blocked and drilled a low finish in from six yards to seal the victory.
