Lionel Messi is now the greatest goal scorer in World Cup history, and Dallas Stadium had a front-row seat.
Messi’s brace in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria on Monday gave the 38-year old 18 career World Cup goals, breaking Miroslav Klose’s all-time record that had stood since 2014. It wasn’t a clean afternoon for the legend, as he missed a penalty kick early in the match.
The opening goal was pure team quality. Defender Facundo Medina pushed forward along the wings and crossed a ball into the penalty area where Thiago Almada dummied it, leaving Messi with an easy finish. Austria pushed for an equalizer late and made it genuinely nervy, before Messi ended the suspense in stoppage time with his second of the afternoon to seal it.
Key Moments
7’ - PENALTY! After a video review, Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the penalty box by Xaver Schlager. Time to see if Lionel Messi can make history.
8’ - MISS! Messi pulls the attempt wide! Still 0-0!
With a chance to become the all-time leading goalscorer in Men’s FIFA World Cup history, Messi misses the penalty wide pic.twitter.com/NcVQJy7Yzb
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026
19’ - Messi nearly gets in as he sneaks in behind an Austrian defender and gets a touch on the ball inside the penalty box, but Alexander Schlager gets a hand on the attempt to keep the game level.
38’ - GOAL! Messi does it this time! He’s now the all-time leading goal scorer at the World Cup with 17 goals. What a fantastic ball from Facundo Medina, and the dummy by Thiago Almade to set up the strike from Messi.
History! Lionel Messi passes Miroslav Klose with his record 17th Men’s FIFA World Cup goal. pic.twitter.com/4PS2I27nRC
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026
73’ - Close chance by Argentina. Messi curled a ball into the penalty area on a corner kick, where Gonzalez was able to head the ball on but it just missed the outside post.
90+2‘ - Probably Austria’s best chance on a set piece late in the match. Wimmer heads it wide.
90+4’ - MESSI AGAIN!
MESSI WITH THE BRACE TO PASS MARTA FOR THE MOST-EVER GOALS, MAN OR WOMAN, IN A FIFA WORLD CUP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Ww5Wz9FnHk
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 22, 2026
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Instant Reaction
For the third World Cup game in Dallas, this one did not disappoint one bit. Austria showed they were a formidable foe and could surprise some teams in this tournament. They gave Argentina all they could and probably could have deserved a point from this one had it not been for Messi.
In the end, it was probably always going to go this direction. Messi would have his magic moments. He would break the all-time goal-scoring record. The fans would go absolutely bonkers, which they did by the way.
Man of the Match
Before the stoppage-time goal, I was all set to give the honor to Medina for his work rate on the afternoon. But, we have to go with Messi.
Where does this fit in Group J
The win will see Argentina on six points, with the group firmly in their grasp. They’ll also be added to the group of teams that have clinched a Knockout Round berth.
Austria is still on three points after downing Jordan in their opener. Depending on how tonight’s Jordan-Algeria game plays out, the Austrians could still be in a decent spot to get the second-place finish in the group.
What’s next for both squads
Both teams wrap up Group J play on Saturday, June 27. Argentina will take on Jordan here at Dallas Stadium, while Austria will battle Algeria up in Kansas City.
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