Missed penalty in first half but converted field goal 30 minutes later; added insurance goal in stoppage time; 17th and 18th World Cup goals surpass Klose's all-time mark; five group-stage goals put Golden Boot within reach

Lionel Messi [AFP]
Lionel Messi [AFP]

Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina on Tuesday to set a new all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record, breaking the mark at age 38 and pulling clear in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.

Starting as Argentina's center forward in their 2026 World Cup Group J second match against Austria at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Messi opened the scoring in the 38th minute. He latched onto a low pass from Facundo Medina down the left and finished with his left foot.

He had been handed the chance to score even earlier, stepping up for a penalty won by Lautaro Martinez in the ninth minute, but failed to convert. He made no mistake when the next opportunity arrived roughly 30 minutes later.

Messi was not finished. Deep into second-half stoppage time, he collected the ball in front of goal following a swift counterattack and swept a left-footed shot into the net, sealing a 2-0 victory for Argentina.

The brace brought his World Cup career tally to 18 goals, surpassing the previous record of 16 held by Germany's Miroslav Klose and making him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

The goals also strengthened his position in the Golden Boot standings. Heading into the match, Messi had been tied for the tournament lead on three goals alongside Denis Undav of Germany and Jonathan David of Canada.

His fourth and fifth goals against Austria moved him into sole possession of first place.

The tournament had been billed as one of the most competitive in history for the Golden Boot, with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, Kylian Mbappe of France and Erling Haaland of Norway among the world-class strikers in the field. Messi has outpaced them all, scoring five goals in just two group-stage matches.

With the group stage still under way, Messi appears well-positioned to extend his scoring run. Argentina's win secured first place in Group J and a berth in the round of 32. Ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, Argentina enter the knockout rounds as one of the tournament's leading title contenders.


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