Messi Rewrites World Cup History With 18 Goals as Argentina Secure Round of 32 Berth
Lionel Messi became the highest goalscorer in men’s World Cup history on Monday, 23 June 2026, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose with a brace in Argentina’s 2-0 Group J victory over Austria at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The 38-year-old captain now holds 18 career World Cup goals, overtaking a record that had stood since 2014.
The Record Falls in the 38th Minute
Messi entered the match on 16 goals after a hat-trick in Argentina’s tournament opener against Algeria on 16 June 2026. He had already drawn level with Klose during that opening fixture, and Monday’s match presented the opportunity to go beyond.
The record-breaking moment arrived in the 38th minute. Receiving a cutback inside Austria’s half, Messi curled a left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. The stadium erupted. Fans chanted his name and bowed in unison as Messi became the outright all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history.
He added a second goal late in the match to complete a 2-0 win, extending his tournament tally to five goals in two games. All five of Argentina’s goals in the 2026 World Cup have been scored by Messi.
A Record That Almost Came Earlier
The historic moment was nearly brought forward from the penalty spot. A VAR review awarded Argentina a penalty after Stefan Posch and Xaver Schlager brought down Lautaro Martínez inside the box. But Messi’s effort went wide, drawing faint cheers from the Austrian end and leaving Argentina fans momentarily stunned.
It was the third penalty Messi has missed across seven attempts at World Cups, not including shootouts. He covered his face with his hands before refocusing to deliver the record-breaking goal shortly after.
A Career Defined by Accumulation
The statistics surrounding Messi’s World Cup record are remarkable in their breadth. He has now scored 12 World Cup goals since turning 35, a figure that exceeds the total career tallies of most players to have appeared at the tournament.
Against Austria, Messi became only the third player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive tournament matches, joining France’s Just Fontaine, who achieved the feat in 1958, and Brazil’s Jairzinho in 1970. He also holds the record as the oldest hat-trick scorer in World Cup history, set against Algeria at 38 years and 357 days, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark of 33 years and 130 days set against Spain in 2018.
His 18 World Cup goals now also surpass the women’s all-time record, placing him at the top of the combined historical standings. Messi’s international goal tally for Argentina stands at 122, second only to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds 143.
He turns 39 on Wednesday, 25 June 2026.
Argentina’s Path Through the Tournament
Monday’s result secured Argentina’s place in the round of 32, giving the defending champions six points and top spot in Group J. Austria, managed by Ralf Rangnick, deployed a compact, high-pressing system that crowded Messi with up to five players whenever he received the ball. The approach limited his space but created openings elsewhere, which Argentina exploited efficiently.
Argentina’s winning run in the tournament now extends to eight consecutive matches, dating back to their shock 2022 group-stage defeat to Saudi Arabia in Qatar. The team will close the group stage against Jordan in Texas on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
Finishing top of Group J means Argentina will play their round of 32 fixture in Miami, where Messi competes in Major League Soccer for Inter Miami. The familiarity of the venue and the presence of a substantial local fanbase could provide a significant advantage in the knockout rounds.
“Beyond anything I’m so happy for the win,” Messi said after the match. “It was huge, tough and difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what’s ahead.”
Defender Lisandro Martínez was unequivocal in his assessment. “Impressive. He’s impressive,” he said. “He deserves it for what he does, and what he shows game by game. He has us accustomed.”
The Record Table Shifts
With Messi now at 18 goals, Kylian Mbappé of France sits at 16, having matched Klose’s former record at some point during the 2026 tournament. Mbappé, at 27, has time to close the gap, but Messi’s pace of scoring at this edition of the tournament makes any catch-up a significant statistical challenge.
Messi’s first World Cup goal was scored on 16 June 2006, against Serbia and Montenegro, when he was 18 years old. Exactly 20 years later, to the day, he scored a hat-trick against Algeria to tie Klose’s record. The symmetry is unlikely to be lost on those who have tracked his career across five World Cups.
