Scores 30 minutes after missing penalty

Surpasses Germany's Klose for all-time World Cup goals record

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup match against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday. [UPI]
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his third goal in the second half of a FIFA World Cup match against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday. [UPI]

Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history after finding the net against Austria on Tuesday.

Starting as Argentina's center forward in the team's second Group J match of the 2026 North America World Cup against Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Messi drove onto a low pass from Facundo Medina on the left in the 38th minute and scored with his left foot.

Messi had stepped up as the designated kicker for a penalty Argentina earned in the ninth minute, but he missed. He made amends roughly 30 minutes later.

The strike was Messi's 17th World Cup goal, surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Miroslav Klose of Germany.

Messi had entered the match tied for the tournament scoring lead with three goals alongside Denis Undav of Germany and Jonathan David of Canada. His goal against Austria gave him four for the tournament, putting him atop the scoring charts outright.

With the group stage still under way, Messi appears likely to add to his tally. A victory for Argentina would also clinch their place in the round of 32 ahead of schedule.

Argentina led 1-0 at halftime, with Messi's opener providing the difference.


hyuk@heraldcorp.com