Lionel Messi establishes new World Cup goal record in Argentina win over Austria

Lionel Messi claimed the World Cup all-time scoring lead after scoring twice during Argentina victory, moving ahead of Germany legend Miroslav Klose.

ByREUTERS

JUNE 23, 2026 08:54

Updated: JUNE 23, 2026 09:05

Lionel Messi extended his storied career Monday by striking his record 17th World Cup goal during the opening half and then adding an 18th in second-half stoppage time to seal Argentina 2-0 win versus Austria in Arlington, Texas.

The 17th goal moved him clear of Germany Miroslav Klose. The 18th gave him a brief four-goal cushion over Kylian Mbappe, the nearest active scorer, before the French forward replied with two goals later Monday against Iraq to reach Klose total of 16.

Well, I am very pleased with this result, Messi said right after the game through a translator. This proved a crucial and demanding success. We put in maximum effort. And that gives us confidence for the games ahead.

So this is a World Cup. Every fixture brings high intensity, and every side performs strongly. And we are satisfied because we hold six points and have already qualified.

Messi, who reaches 39 on Wednesday, has tallied 11 of his career 18 goals after turning 35. His output across the previous two World Cups alone would rank tied for seventh on the all-time list.

Messi and his record-setting goal

Messi netted the landmark goal with a first-time left-footed finish from inside the penalty area in the 38th minute after a pass from Facundo Medina.

He completed his brace five minutes into added time by converting his own rebound after a swift counter and shooting low through defenders. That placed him two goals clear of Canada Jonathan David and Germany Deniz Undav in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot standings.

When asked to name his favorite World Cup goal, Messi could not single one out.

I do not recall, really, he said. I am tired. I lack energy and find it difficult to focus now. So I am simply savoring this occasion and wish to rejoin my teammates.

Messi, who joined one of the first two players to feature in six World Cups last week alongside Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo, arrived at this event three goals behind Klose. After his first World Cup hat trick in the Group J opener against Algeria on June 16, he drew level before the second group match.

With the goal, Messi also matched another World Cup mark by scoring in his sixth consecutive match stretching back to the 2022 tournament that Argentina captured. He stands as only the third player to score across six straight World Cup matches, joining France Just Fontaine and Brazil Jairzinho.

He looked set to break the record roughly 30 minutes earlier when Lautaro Martinez drew a penalty. Yet Messi sent the kick wide of the right post in the ninth minute.

I had the penalty that I might have converted, Messi said. Well, perhaps if I had scored that one, the others would not have followed. Nobody knows. But I am content with the outcome thanks to our effort and collective play. Well, let us hope things improve further.