Rabat – Lionel Messi has become the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history after scoring twice in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria today.
The 38-year-old entered the Group J match level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 goals, the previous record in the men’s tournament.
Messi moved ahead of Klose with his first goal against Austria before scoring again in stoppage time to take his career total to 18.
View this post on Instagram
His second goal also moved him beyond Brazil legend Marta, who scored 17 times in the Women’s World Cup, making Messi the leading scorer across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Messi recovers from a penalty miss
Messi had an early opportunity to break the record after Lautaro Martinez was brought down inside the penalty area.
However, the Argentina captain sent his penalty wide and Austria survived the early pressure.
The missed chance did not affect Messi for long.
He later started a flowing attacking move before continuing his run into the penalty area. Facundo Medina delivered a low cross, and Messi arrived unmarked to guide a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The goal was his 17th at the World Cup, taking him past Klose’s record, which had stood since Germany’s 2014 title-winning campaign.
Messi completed his brace during second-half stoppage time. He reacted first to a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished calmly to confirm Argentina’s victory.
Five goals at the 2026 World Cup
Messi has now scored five goals in Argentina’s first two games of the tournament.
He began the competition with a hat-trick in the defending champions’ 3-0 victory over Algeria.
Those three goals moved him level with Klose before his record-breaking performance against Austria.
View this post on Instagram
Messi has also scored in six consecutive World Cup appearances, continuing a remarkable run that began during Argentina’s successful 2022 campaign in Qatar.
The forward is now competing in his sixth World Cup, 20 years after scoring his first tournament goal against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.
He scored once at the 2006 edition, four times in 2014, once in 2018 and seven times as Argentina lifted the trophy in 2022.
His five goals in the current tournament have taken his total to 18.
Argentina reaches the knockout stage
The victory gave Argentina six points from their opening two Group J matches and secured their place in the knockout stage with one game remaining.
Lionel Scaloni’s team have scored five goals without conceding and remain on course to finish first in the group.
Austria defended with discipline for long periods but struggled to create clear chances against Argentina’s back line.
Messi’s two moments of quality ultimately separated the teams and added another major record to his career.
The Argentina captain will turn 39 later this week, but he continues to play a decisive role as his country attempts to defend the title it won four years ago.
Argentina will complete the group stage against Jordan, with Messi also competing for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
