World Cup
FIFA World
Cup 2026
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Lionel Messi is now the leading goalscorer in men’s World Cup history.
Messi, 38, opened the scoring against Austria with a brilliant finish to break the all-time men’s World Cup scoring record, moving on to 17 goals.
The goal came after Messi had missed an earlier chance to break the record from the penalty spot, sending his effort wide.
It isn't just his work in and around the penalty area that has impressed us this afternoon, Messi has also chipped in inside his own half of the pitch.
Another busy performance from the 38-year-old.
68’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
Now Austria ring the changes. Friedl, Prass and Arnautovic come on for Alaba, Posch and Wanner.
This Argentina team is once again looking very difficult to defeat.
Scaloni's side are the masters of game management, and despite a dubious run of friendlies before the World Cup, they are proving thus far to be a team built for tournament football.
Having Messi certainly helps.
64’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
Here come two more Argentina changes: Almada is replaced by Alvarez to loud applause, while Lautaro Martinez is off for Gonzalez.
And almost immediately after that, Messi draws a diving stop from Schlager, but a goal kick is awarded rather than a corner. Interesting.
62’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
Austria look a bit short of ideas at the minute and almost get punished as Argentina win possession and sweep forward.
Almada carries well and moves the ball on to Fernandez, who fires a shot straight at Danso.
The Austrian defender looks in pain after the block and leaves the field temporarily.
That save from Martinez was typically dramatic. Would it be harsh to call it “one for the cameras”?
He is highly unlikely to upstage Messi today, but you can bet it won't stop him trying!
58’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
First change for Argentina. Romero looks to be struggling and is replaced by the veteran Otamendi at the back.
55’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
That's better from Sabitzer! His free kick is hit with pace and purpose, drawing a good diving stop from Martinez.
The Argentina goalkeeper got both hands to it but it was well struck by Sabitzer.
55’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
A trademark Messi run, driving through the middle of the Austria midfield, yields a free kick but nothing comes from it for Argentina.
Now we're up the other end where Austria have a free kick in a good position from Romero's foul on Laimer…
50’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
Danso loses possession under pressure from Lautaro Martinez and Fernandez threads a ball through for Messi to chase.
Only Schlager is in front of him but Messi takes a heavy touch and runs out of room to squeeze a shot on goal.
He's offside anyway, mind — and did look a yard or so ahead of the defence when the ball was played.
49’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
Play stops as Messi is tripped by Xaver Schlager with Almada also down clutching his knee from an earlier challenge.
He's okay to continue, though, and we're back underway again.
There's an edge to this game. There were two or three moments of needless aggression in the first half which suggested something brewing; there are too many combustible personalities for this to finish 11 vs 11.
Austria have done reasonably well, too. Not terrific, particularly not when they've had opportunities to play a final pass or deliver a set piece, but they've been competent and are not out of this yet.
46’ Argentina 1-0 Austria
We're back up and running in Dallas.
Will there be more Messi goals or can Austria get back into this one?
Austria have caused Argentina some problems with their counter-pressure — as usual — but they have been very unimaginative in possession.
They had 40 per cent of the ball in that first half, but had just two shots and neither of them were on target.
As you might have heard, Messi is now the holder of one of the most iconic and well-known records in the whole of sport: the all-time top scorer in the World Cup.
Here are the 16 men to have reached double figures in the competition's 96-year history, with the Argentina captain — as he has so often throughout his career — now looking down on the mere mortals below him.
You could hear "Muchachos" loud on clear on the broadcast just before half-time. I wonder if we will soon hear this summer's anthem, Palmito's "La Cuarta Estrella." It's been catching on at banderazos around the country.
The stands in Arlington are ringing with some of Argentina’s most famous chants, from a fanbase widely regarded as among the most passionate in the world.
The biggest hit of recent years is “Muchachos, ahora nos volvimos a ilusionar”. Inspired by a song by the Argentine band La Mosca Tse-Tse, it became a national anthem during and after Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022.
The chant tells the story of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, the famous victory over Brazil at the Maracana in the 2021 Copa America final, and the dream of winning a third World Cup star.
Some fans even say it was a premonition.
HT Argentina 1-0 Austria
Fitting that on the 40th anniversary of Diego Maradona's 'gol de siglo' and 'la mano de dios', Messi just became the leading goal scorer in men's World Cup history with a goal that was truly a team effort.
Him missing a penalty earlier in the half is simply part of the lore that we'll be looking back on, let's say, in another 40 years.
Lionel Messi has scored 11 per cent of all the World Cup goals in Argentina's history.
Team Stats
ARG
AUT
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