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Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
Messi, 38, broke Miroslav Klose’s longstanding men’s record when he opened the scoring in Argentina’s Group J victory over Austria.
Messi, who has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, then broke Marta’s overall record when he added a second late on, his 18th World Cup goal.
Argentina’s 2-0 victory means the reigning world champions have already secured their place in the knockout round.
Here's what Lionel Messi said to Telemundo after the game, with Argentina securing their place in the knockouts.
💬 “We’re really happy with the win. It was hugely important and came after a lot of hard work.
“Hopefully, this gives us some peace of mind for what’s ahead. It was a very evenly matched game, but we got the job done. We’re delighted to have qualified.”
And here's how the World Cup scoring record has progressed over the years.
Here's confirmation of Messi's position at the top of the World Cup scoring charts on 18 goals, moving two clear of Miroslav Klose.
Some extraordinary players on that list, but not many have even got near the Argentinian.
Only four players had more touches in that match than Messi, which is fairly rare for a player starting in the attacking line.
This is no normal player, though, as you already know.
We saw a bit of everything from Messi today; he has looked as fresh and sharp as ever at this World Cup so far.
That first goal was a thing of beauty. If we could map a “dummy” in the data, we would — as Thiago Almada deserves credit for his role in Argentina’s opener.
There are some exceptional players in that Argentina team.
Enzo Fernandez cost Chelsea more than £100million, Lautaro Martinez is a three-time Serie A winner, Alexis Mac Allister won the Premier League. The list goes on.
But as they applauded the Argentina fans at the final whistle, they all looked like backing artists to a man who turns 39 in a couple of days.
At that age, logic says Messi should be playing useful cameos. But he is still the leading man and the supporting cast seem to love him for it.
This was supposed to be Argentina's ‘first real test’ — a ‘step up’ in quality from what they faced against Algeria.
And in moments of the first half it was was because Austria's counterpress was typical of a Rangnick team. But the Austrians have posed almost no threat in an attacking sense.
So we know Argentina have some excellent players. We know Messi is defying the aging process. And we know they are capable of playing some lovely football in possession.
But we are still not completely sure how strong they will be against a serious attacking force.
With five goals in two games, Messi has already matched the entire total it took to win the Golden Boot at both the 2006 (Miroslav Klose) and 2010 (Thomas Muller) World Cups.
Not bad from Argentina. They dealt with an Austrian team with few ideas and too little attacking talent to be particularly dangerous.
Are the Argentinians that good or are we just being drawn to the Messi shininess? I don't know yet. It's probably somewhere in between and they will need to find another level if, say, they are to overcome a Spain or France-level threat.
But — hey, fair enough — they did what they needed to do here.
There is nothing more I can say about Messi that hasn't already been said at this World Cup.
He didn't have his best game today — nowhere near, in fact — but he still walks off with another two goals and is his nation's matchwinner again.
Messi has five goals in two World Cup games and will already take some stopping in his pursuit of the Golden Boot.
One Argentina fan holds up their baby, Simba in the Lion King style, earmuffs on to protect them from the deafening celebrations which erupted after Messi's second goal.
Another held up a sign saying “100-year-old Messi fan”.
Even supporters a century apart can appreciate his genius.
I’ll tell you this for nothing — that Messi goal would not have gone in for anybody else.
It was way too much of a shambles. Too many players on the line. No real gaps to shoot through. Hit and hope. But the cards fall for that man again.
I don't even know what to say anymore. Messi is not real.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
The Lionel Messi World Cup rolls on.
Two more goals for the 38-year-old and Argentina are into the knockouts.
90+5’ Argentina 2-0 Austria
From that promising Austria chance, Argentina counter with aplomb. And guess who gets on the end of it?
Alvarez looks certain to score but his shot is brilliantly saved by Schlager. It comes back to Fernandez to tee up Messi, who needs two goes at it before converting with his second attempt.
Make that 18 World Cup goals for the great man.
90+5’ Argentina 2-0 Austria
And just like that, Lionel Messi has another.
All the angles of Leo Messi's 18th FIFA World Cup goal, two clear of Miroslav Klose on the all-time men's leaderboard 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/KwJGBsPomS
90+3’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
This isn't done yet and Austria get a rare chance with a couple of minutes of stoppage time remaining.
Danso heads across goal to Wimmer, who heads just wide.
90+2’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
Argentina are still pushing for a second and win a free kick when Gonzalez is fouled by Wimmer.
Five minutes added on and Messi takes the set piece high up the pitch on the left, but Chukwuemeka comes away with it.
Soon after, Paredes is booked for a foul on Chukwuemeka.
86’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
On comes Chukwuemeka for Gregoritsch with time rapidly running out for Austria.
The defending champions look to wrap the game up as Martinez plays a wonderful long ball for Gonzalez to collect.
The substitute cuts inside but Schlager saves, then the follow-up from Fernandez is blocked by Danso.
Team Stats
ARG
AUT
Game Details
Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goals record as Argentina beat Austria: Live updates and reaction – The New York Times
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