Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in their Group J clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday, securing the defending champions a place in the knockout stage.
## What happened?
The Argentine captain became the all-time leading goalscorer in men's FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose with 18 goals.
Lionel Messi's opener took him past Klose's tally of 16 goals.
His second goal extended his World Cup total to 18.
## Why it matters for Lionel Messi
The star player has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, equalling the record jointly held by France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho.
Lionel Messi's goals were scored on August 21, 2026.
## What comes next?
Argentina's win secures their spot in the knockout stage.
The team will face their next opponent in the upcoming matches.
Lionel Messi's performance has been impressive, with the 38-year-old showing no signs of slowing down.
And his goals have been crucial in Argentina's success so far.
But the team still has a long way to go in the tournament.
So they will need to stay focused and keep performing well.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is ongoing, with many exciting matches still to come.
Lionel Messi's record-breaking achievement is a significant milestone in his career.
It showcases his skill and dedication to the sport.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see what's next for Lionel Messi and Argentina.
The team's success will depend on their ability to work together and perform under pressure.
With Lionel Messi leading the charge, they have a good chance of making it far in the tournament.