Lionel Messi sealed his place in football history on Monday, netting a double as Argentina defeated Austria 2‑0 in Dallas. The goals pushed him to 18 World Cup goals, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the men’s all‑time record. Fans in Buenos Aires erupted as the captain celebrated the milestone.

Messi entered the match with 16 World Cup strikes, having hat‑tricked against Algeria in the tournament opener. A missed penalty early on briefly denied the record, but he recovered with a curl from a cut‑back in the 39th minute and added a late finish to seal the win. The performance extended his streak to six consecutive World Cup games with a goal.

With the 2‑0 victory, Argentina topped Group J on six points, guaranteeing progression to the round of 32. The result also lifted Messi’s international tally to 121 goals, leaving him second only to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits on 143. The Argentine side now prepares for a final group match against Jordan, also in Dallas.

Messi’s record‑breaking feat underscores his longevity, as he becomes the first player to appear in six men’s World Cups. While the achievement adds to his personal legacy, Argentina’s unbeaten start positions them as early favorites to claim the 2026 title. The team now eyes a decisive showdown with Jordan to close the group stage.