Messi’s brace fires Argentina into last 32 with 2–0 win over Austria

Lionel Messi recovered from a first-half penalty miss to score twice and carry Argentina into the Round of 32 with a 2–0 victory over Austria in their FIFA World Cup Group J clash at Dallas Stadium on Monday (June 22), in the process becoming the tournament's all-time leading scorer.

The Argentina captain, who had drawn level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals with a hat-trick against Algeria in the opener, surpassed the record with his 17th goal in the 39th minute and extended it to 18 in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Argentina led throughout in expected goals, possession, shots on target and accurate passes — a statistical dominance that reflected their control without fully capturing how hard Austria pushed for a way back into the match.

The evening had begun badly for Messi. After VAR awarded Argentina a seventh-minute penalty following a foul on Lautaro Martinez, Messi dragged his effort wide — his third missed spot-kick in World Cup history. Austria, granted a lifeline, grew into the contest. David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer helped Ralph Rangnick's side settle, and goalkeeper Alexander Schlager denied Messi and Enzo Fernandez to keep the scores level. The Europeans also forced corners of their own, with Sabitzer and Romano Schmid earning two set-piece opportunities inside the first half-hour that the Argentine defence dealt with.

The breakthrough arrived on the stroke of half-time. A counterattack initiated by Thiago Almada ended with Facundo Medina delivering a cross from the left, which Messi met with a clinical finish to make it 1–0 — his record-equalling 17th World Cup goal confirmed after a VAR check.

Austria refused to capitulate after the interval. Sabitzer forced Emiliano Martinez into a smart save from a free-kick, while Kevin Danso produced a courageous goal-line block to deny Enzo Fernandez. Michael Gregoritsch headed over from a promising attack, and substitute Patrick Wimmer squandered Austria's best chance in stoppage time, directing a header wide after Danso had flicked on a free-kick.

At the other end, Messi whipped in a corner that found Nicolás González, whose header narrowly missed the far post — one of several additional attempts Argentina generated as they pressed for a second. Coach Lionel Scaloni made a series of changes to manage the result, introducing Julian Alvarez, Nicolás González, Leandro Paredes and Nicolás Tagliafico as the defending champions focused on preserving their advantage.

Messi had the final say. Deep in added time, after a Messi pass nearly set up Julián Álvarez, the rebound eventually came back to Messi. His first attempt was blocked, but he took another shot and buried it into the right corner to seal the win — his 18th World Cup goal, a mark no man has reached before him.

Argentina became the fourth team to book their place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. For Messi, the double also extended his run of scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches, equalling feats previously associated with France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho.

The missed penalty added to his unwanted record for spot-kicks spurned at the tournament. On a night when history bent to his will, it was barely a footnote.