Lionel Messi delivered a historic performance in Dallas, netting two goals as Argentina beat Austria 2‑0 to clinch a place in the World Cup round of 32. His 38th‑minute left‑footed strike broke a tie with Miroslav Klose, making him the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. The goal came after a missed penalty that briefly silenced the fans.

The record‑breaking goal arrived exactly 20 years after Messi’s first World Cup tally in 2006 and 40 years after Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God. He added a second in injury time, surpassing Brazil’s Marta to become the top scorer across men’s and women’s tournaments. The milestone sparked chants of “Messi, Messi” from the 70,000‑strong crowd and ignited a stadium‑wide celebration.

Messi’s 17th World Cup goal pushed him ahead of Klose and cemented his status in the GOAT debate, while his contribution secured Argentina’s second consecutive win and kept them atop Group C. Coach Scaloni praised the captain’s intensity, and with Messi leading the Golden Boot race, Argentina now eyes a repeat title run. Their momentum will be crucial in upcoming knockout rounds.