Messi breaks the World Cup scoring record in another immortal Argentina display

Lionel Messi has done it again, turning another World Cup night into a personal milestone as Argentina beat Austria 2-0. Two goals took him past Miroslav Klose to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, adding another record to a career that already feels almost impossible to measure.

It is remarkable to think that Messi once retired from international football in 2016 after another painful final defeat, only to return and help Argentina enter one of the most successful periods in their history. Since coming back, he has won two Copa America titles and captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, where he scored seven goals and inspired them to a third world crown. Now, at almost 39, he is still setting new benchmarks.

Against Austria, Messi missed an early penalty, but he quickly recovered. His first goal came with a low finish to make it 17 World Cup goals, moving him clear of Klose. Later, he added another in stoppage time from a tight angle to reach 18 and leave yet another record in his wake. He now has 18 goals in 28 World Cup matches, and Argentina remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals at this World Cup so far, which raises the familiar question of how much the team depends on him. His influence goes far beyond scoring, though. He links play, creates chances and gives Argentina control in the biggest moments. Still, there is a sense that Lionel Scaloni will want more players to share the scoring burden as the tournament goes on.

Even the miss from the penalty spot became part of the story. Messi was visibly angry after putting the ball wide, but made up for it soon after with a brilliant open-play finish. That combination of frustration, recovery and ruthlessness has defined his career. He is the first player ever to miss a penalty and still finish the match as the scorer of the record-breaking goal.

The bigger picture is simple: Messi keeps finding ways to outdo himself. He has now appeared at six World Cups, scored in six straight tournament matches, and created more chances at the finals than any player in history. With Argentina already through to the last 32 and Jordan still to come, the record book may not be finished with him yet.