Lionel Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history, as Argentina defeated Austria to secure a spot in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Match Decisive Moment
The goal came in the 64th minute when Messi collected a pass from Angel Di Maria on the edge of the box, cut inside onto his left foot, and curled a shot into the top corner past Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. The strike broke a 0-0 deadlock and ensured Argentina's progression from Group D with a match to spare.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Messi's 17th goal moved him one clear of Germany's Miroslav Klose, who had held the record since 2014. The Argentine captain also extended his own record for most World Cup appearances, now at 27 matches. According to FIFA statistics, Messi has now scored in five different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2026), a feat unmatched by any other player.
Impact on Argentina's Campaign
The victory marked Argentina's second consecutive win in the tournament, following a 3-1 opening victory over Nigeria. With six points, Argentina leads Group D ahead of Austria and Nigeria, who have three points each. The win guarantees Argentina a place in the round of 16, where they will face the runner-up of Group C.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi after the match, stating, "Leo continues to write history. He is the best player in the world and he shows it every time he steps on the pitch. We are fortunate to have him." Messi himself downplayed the record in a post-match interview, saying, "It's nice to achieve these things, but the most important thing is that the team wins and we can go far in the tournament."
Group Stage Context
Argentina's final group match is against Sweden on June 26, where they can secure top spot in the group. Austria, meanwhile, will face Nigeria in a decisive clash to determine the second qualification spot. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, features 48 teams for the first time, with the knockout stage beginning on June 29.
