Argentina secured their passage to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Austria in Dallas, a match defined by Lionel Messi’s rewriting of the tournament’s historical record books. The 38-year-old captain struck in the 38th minute and again deep in stoppage time to move clear of Miroslav Klose as the most prolific goalscorer in men’s World Cup history, his tally of 18 also eclipsing the overall mark of 17 set by Brazil’s Marta in the women’s game. The win, Argentina’s second in Group J, guaranteed a place in the expanded round of 32 with a match to spare.

The evening had begun with a rare misstep. After a VAR review penalised a foul on Lautaro Martínez, Messi dragged an eighth-minute penalty wide of the left post — his third miss from the spot in World Cup regulation play, a figure no other player has reached. The reprieve came half an hour later. Facundo Medina’s low cross from the left was cleverly dummied by Thiago Almada, allowing Messi to sweep a first-time left-footed finish into the bottom corner. The goal unleashed a roar from a Dallas crowd overwhelmingly dressed in Albiceleste colours, and the captain added his second in the 95th minute, pouncing on a rebound after Julián Álvarez’s initial effort was saved, to seal the result.

The record had stood since 2014, when Klose netted his 16th goal during Germany’s semi-final demolition of Brazil. Messi drew level with a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening 3-0 win over Algeria, and his four goals in two matches have made him the early leader in the 2026 scoring charts. The milestone carries echoes of another 22 June: exactly 40 years earlier, Diego Maradona scored his “Goal of the Century” and the “Hand of God” against England at Mexico 1986. Across the Atlantic, analysts in Europe noted that France’s Kylian Mbappé, still only 27, sits on 14 World Cup goals and remains the most immediate threat to the new benchmark.

Argentina’s qualification was never seriously in doubt once Messi broke the deadlock. Austria, coached by Ralf Rangnick, offered little in open play, their best chance a second-half free-kick from Marcel Sabitzer that Emiliano Martínez pushed away. The defending champions now top Group J with six points, while Austria remain on three, their fate to be decided against Algeria in the final round. Jordan and Algeria, both pointless before their late-night meeting, face an uphill task to progress.

Argentina will close their group campaign against Jordan on 27 June, needing only a draw to confirm first place. For Messi, who turns 39 two days before that fixture, the tournament has already added another layer to a career that began at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. His enduring influence — five goals in two matches, a record-breaking tally, and a team already through — leaves the title holders well-placed as the competition moves toward the knockout phase.