Lionel Messi scored a historic brace against Austria to become the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history, helping Argentina secure a 2-0 victory and a place in the knockout stage.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni hailed Lionel Messi’s extraordinary commitment and influence after the captain’s historic brace guided the defending champions to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their Group J match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday.

Messi once again proved why he remains one of football’s greatest players, scoring both goals as Argentina secured qualification for the knockout stage with a second consecutive victory in the tournament. The Argentine superstar also etched his name into football history by becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s FIFA World Cup history.

The 38-year-old opened the scoring in the 38th minute to surpass Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 World Cup goals. He then added another strike deep into stoppage time, taking his overall World Cup tally to 18 goals and further extending his record ahead of his 39th birthday on June 24.

Despite the historic achievement, Scaloni was equally impressed by Messi’s work ethic off the ball. The Argentina coach praised his captain’s willingness to track back, win possession and help the team during difficult moments against a determined Austrian side.

Scaloni admitted there were hardly any words left to describe Messi’s impact on the national team. He highlighted the forward’s leadership, commitment and ability to consistently deliver on football’s biggest stage, qualities that continue to inspire the entire squad.

The match itself was far from straightforward for Argentina. Messi endured a frustrating start after missing a sixth-minute penalty, sending his effort wide following a VAR-awarded spot kick. Austria responded with an aggressive pressing game and created several uncomfortable moments for the reigning world champions during the first half.

However, Argentina found the breakthrough in the 38th minute. Thiago Almada’s intelligent dummy allowed the ball to run through to Messi, who calmly slotted his finish into the bottom corner to hand his side a crucial lead.

Austria continued to push after the interval and tested Argentina’s defensive resolve. Recognising the need for fresh energy, Scaloni introduced Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez midway through the second half. The substitutions helped Argentina regain control and exploit spaces as Austria committed more players forward.

The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when Messi led a swift counterattack and finished clinically in the 95th minute. His second goal sealed the victory and capped another memorable performance from the Argentine captain.

Messi’s latest brace also saw him equal the World Cup record of scoring in six consecutive matches, matching the achievement of France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho. The milestone further underlined his remarkable consistency on football’s biggest stage.

Following the victory, Scaloni praised his team’s resilience and ability to remain composed under pressure. He acknowledged Austria’s physical presence and tactical discipline, noting that Argentina had to work hard throughout the contest to secure all three points.

The result moves Argentina to the top of Group J with six points from two matches and guarantees their place in the last 32. Having opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, powered by a Messi hat-trick, the defending champions have enjoyed a perfect start to the tournament.

While refusing to label his side as outright favourites, Scaloni expressed confidence that Argentina will remain among the leading contenders for the title. He emphasized that fitness, mentality and consistency will play crucial roles as the competition enters its knockout phase.

With Messi continuing to rewrite the record books and Argentina maintaining their winning momentum, the South American giants appear well-positioned to mount another serious challenge for World Cup glory.