In a pivotal match at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina secured their place in the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Austria, thanks to a remarkable performance from Lionel Messi. The veteran forward, despite an early setback with a missed penalty, scored both goals, making history in the process.

Messi Makes History

Messi's first goal came in the 38th minute, following a clever play where Thiago Almada's dummy allowed the ball to reach him. He calmly slotted it into the bottom corner, breaking the deadlock and surpassing Miroslav Klose's record to become the all-time leading scorer in men's FIFA World Cup history with 17 goals. He later extended his tally to 18 with a second goal in stoppage time, solidifying his place in the record books.

Match Dynamics

Despite a strong start from Austria, who pressed energetically and created problems for Argentina in the first half, the defending champions managed to control the match after Messi's opener. Coach Lionel Scaloni made strategic substitutions, introducing Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez, which opened up the game further. As Austria pushed for an equalizer, Messi capitalized on a counterattack, scoring his second goal in the 95th minute to secure the victory.

This win not only highlighted Messi's enduring talent at 38 years old but also showcased Argentina's resilience as they aim to defend their World Cup title.