Messi surpasses Klose to become all-time World Cup top scorer

Lionel Messi has etched his name deeper into World Cup history, becoming the tournament’s outright top scorer after netting against Austria in Dallas to move past Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

The Argentina captain struck in the 38th minute, finishing a well-constructed move initiated by Facundo Medina’s delivery from the left flank. Thiago Almada’s clever dummy disrupted the Austrian defence, allowing Messi to produce a composed left-footed finish.

The goal took Messi’s World Cup tally to 17 goals in 28 appearances, moving him one clear of Klose, who previously held the record with 16.

Earlier in the match, Messi had endured frustration after missing a third-minute penalty, firing his effort off target following a foul on Lautaro Martínez inside the box. The miss added to his unwanted record of most penalty misses in World Cup history with three.

However, the Argentine skipper quickly recovered, with his 38th-minute strike also extending another remarkable streak — scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches, equalling records held by France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho.

Messi’s record-breaking night adds another milestone to his illustrious World Cup career, despite the early setback from the penalty spot.