Messi set a World Cup record and repeated his unique goal-scoring run after scoring a brace in the match against Austria
Lionel Messi continues to rewrite World Cup history. The Argentina captain scored a brace in their Group J second-round match against Austria and helped his team secure a 2–0 victory.
Thanks to these two goals, the 38-year-old forward has taken his tally to 18 goals at World Cups and has become the tournament’s sole record-holder in this category. Before the match, Messi was tied for first place with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who ended his World Cup career with 16 goals. After his first goal, the Argentine broke the record, and after his second, he further cemented his lead, according to the Associated Press.
The match against Austria got off to a difficult start for Messi. As early as the 9th minute, he missed a penalty, shooting wide of the right post. For the Argentine, this is now his third consecutive World Cup in which he has failed to score from the penalty spot during normal time.
Despite the poor start, Messi managed to make amends. In the 38th minute, he opened the scoring following a pass from Facundo Medina. In second-half stoppage time, the Argentine completed his brace, scoring his 18th World Cup goal.
After the match, Messi said he was most pleased with the team’s victory.
“Above all, I’m happy about the win. It was a very tough and difficult match. All the matches at this World Cup are very evenly matched and intense. I’m savouring this moment and want to share it with my team-mates,” said Messi.
The Argentine also repeated another unique feat. The match against Austria marked his sixth consecutive World Cup match in which he has scored at least one goal.
Messi has become only the third footballer in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. Previously, this feat had only been achieved by the Frenchman Just Fontaine in 1958 and the Brazilian Jairzinho in 1970.
The Argentine’s scoring run began back in the round of 16 match at the 2022 World Cup against Australia. Since then, he has scored 10 goals in six consecutive World Cup matches.
In the opening match of Group J, Argentina thrashed Algeria 3–0 thanks to a hat-trick from Lionel Messi. In the other match of the second round, Algeria secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Jordan.
After two rounds, Argentina, with 6 points, have secured top spot in the group and a place in the knockout stages ahead of schedule. Austria and Algeria each have 3 points. Jordan have yet to pick up any points and have lost their chance of progressing to the next round.
In the third round, Argentina will face Jordan, whilst Algeria will take on Austria. Both matches will take place on 28 June at 05:00 Kyiv time.
The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July in the USA, Mexico and Canada. This is the first World Cup to feature 48 national teams.
