Argentina advanced to the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Austria in Arlington, Texas, a match defined by Lionel Messi’s historic double that carried him past Miroslav Klose as the competition’s all-time leading scorer. The captain’s 38th-minute opener and a stoppage-time second took his finals tally to 18 goals, two clear of the German’s mark that had stood since 2014. The result gave the holders six points from two Group J matches and confirmed their passage to the round of 32.

The evening began with an unexpected stumble. After Lautaro Martínez was felled inside the area, a VAR review awarded Argentina a penalty in the ninth minute. Messi, on the cusp of the record, dragged his left-footed attempt wide of Alexander Schlager’s right post — his third penalty miss at a World Cup, a negative record he now owns outright. Austria, coached by Ralf Rangnick, responded with high pressing and physical duels that disrupted Argentina’s rhythm for a spell. The breakthrough came seven minutes before half-time. Facundo Medina’s low cross from the left was cleverly dummied by Thiago Almada, allowing Messi to arrive unmarked and steer a first-time finish into the bottom corner. The goal, his 17th at the tournament, broke the tie with Klose and sent a predominantly Argentine crowd into delirium.

Austria pushed after the interval, Marcel Sabitzer forcing Emiliano Martínez into a sharp save from a free-kick, but Argentina managed the tempo and looked to counter. The clinching moment arrived deep in added time. Julián Álvarez was denied by Schlager after a breakaway, and the rebound fell to Messi, whose initial shot was blocked before he rammed the loose ball home from close range. The brace took him to five goals in two games at this edition, following a hat-trick against Algeria, and extended his record for most World Cup appearances to 28 matches. He also became the player with the most wins in the tournament’s history, with 18.

Klose, who had said before the tournament that records exist to be broken and that he would welcome Messi doing so, offered a gracious tribute. “For me, Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time. Congratulations, champion,” the former Germany striker told Süddeutsche Zeitung. The Argentine’s feat was celebrated across continents, though European analysts noted that France’s Kylian Mbappé, still only 27 and already on 14 World Cup goals, remains a long-term threat to the new benchmark. Argentina will close their group campaign against Jordan on 27 June, while Austria, on three points, face Algeria the same day needing a result to join the South Americans in the next round.