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World Cup history was made Monday afternoon in Arlington, Texas, when Argentine superstar Lionel Messi became the tournament's all-time leading goal scorer. He netted his 17th and 18th career FIFA World Cup goals in a 2-0 victory over Austria.

With a crowd of more than 70,000 fans at AT&T Stadium, Messi surpassed German legend Miroslav Klose's long-standing record and secured Argentina's place in the knockout stage of the competition.

The record-breaking performance came just two days before Messi's 39th birthday and during an emotional period for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has spoken about concerns for his ailing father back home.

Despite missing an early penalty kick that sailed wide of the goal, Messi recovered in spectacular fashion, delivering another unforgettable performance for Argentina.

Messi Sets New World Cup Scoring Standard

Messi entered Monday's Group J match tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals across four FIFA World Cups between 2002 and 2014.

In the 38th minute, Messi collected the ball inside the penalty area and calmly fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net to give Argentina a 1-0 lead and become the tournament's all-time leading scorer.

Late in stoppage time, Messi added another goal after seeing his initial attempt blocked by Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. His second effort found its way through several defenders, extending both his personal record and Argentina's lead.

"I was really angry about missing the penalty," Messi said afterward. "But I was able to make up for it."

The victory also extended Argentina's winning streak in World Cup competition to eight matches dating back to its opening loss to Saudi Arabia during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

A Historic World Cup Achievement for Argentina's Captain

Messi's latest accomplishment follows another milestone earlier in the tournament, when he scored the first World Cup hat trick of his career during Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City.

He has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, joining French striker Just Fontaine and Brazilian legend Jairzinho as the only players to accomplish that feat.

Remarkably, Messi has scored all five of Argentina's goals in the current tournament and has now recorded 12 World Cup goals since turning 35, further strengthening his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history.

Fans packed AT&T Stadium wearing Argentina's iconic white-and-sky-blue striped jerseys bearing Messi's famous No. 10, creating a home-like atmosphere despite the match taking place in North Texas.

A Record Linked to Argentina's Rich World Cup Legacy

The record-breaking goal came exactly 40 years after another unforgettable chapter in Argentina's football history.

On the same date in 1986, the late Diego Maradona scored his legendary "Goal of the Century" against England in the World Cup quarterfinals in Mexico City. Maradona's dazzling solo run helped Argentina advance on its way to winning the 1986 FIFA World Cup, cementing his place among the sport's all-time greats.

Now, Messi has added another historic moment to Argentina's rich football tradition by becoming the most prolific goal scorer in World Cup history.

The History of the FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is the world's most prestigious international soccer tournament.

Organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the competition was first held in 1930 in Uruguay, where the host nation defeated Argentina to claim the inaugural championship.

Since then, the tournament has grown into one of the world's largest sporting events, attracting billions of television viewers and millions of fans to host nations every four years.

Brazil has the Most Men's Championships

Brazil holds the record for the most men's World Cup championships with five titles, while nations such as Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, and Uruguay have also produced multiple champions.

The World Cup has provided countless iconic moments, from Pelé's emergence as a teenage superstar in 1958 to Maradona's brilliance in 1986 and Messi leading Argentina to glory in Qatar in 2022. The expanded 2026 tournament has brought matches to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, introducing the competition to even larger audiences across North America.

Eyes Turn to Argentina's Next Match

Argentina has already secured a place in the knockout round, but fans could witness even more history when Messi returns to the field Saturday against Jordan in the team's final Group J match.

Austria, meanwhile, remains in contention for advancement after opening the tournament with a victory over Jordan and will face Algeria in a crucial group-stage finale.

With Messi continuing to rewrite the record books, supporters will be watching closely to see how much higher he can raise the World Cup scoring mark.

Relevant Links

• FIFA Official Website: https://www.fifa.com/
• FIFA World Cup: https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup
• Argentina Football Association: https://www.afa.com.ar/
• Lionel Messi Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leomessi/
• CONMEBOL: https://www.conmebol.com/