Argentina legend Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goal record
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José de Jesus Ortiz, Founder & Editor in Chief
- June 22, 2026
Lionel Messi scores a pair against Austria
ARLINGTON, Texas – As Lionel Messi sprinted toward the 18-yard box just behind Argentina teammate Thiago Almada, a sea of striped light blue-and-white jerseys rose in anticipation of World Cup history.
The buzz grew louder at Dallas Stadium as Almada passed the ball out wide to the left wing. Facundo Medina then passed the ball back toward the box, and Almada let it go between his legs.
Messi took care of the rest as he has more than any other player in World Cup history. He curled the ball with a clinical left-footed shot into the back of the net, just out of the reach of Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager’s diving save attempt on the right side.
Messi then sprinted toward the left corner flag as the pro-Argentina sellout crowd of 70,649 roared after the legendary forward broke the record for most goals in FIFA Men’s World Cup play with his first of two goals Monday afternoon.
Messi added his second goal in stoppage time of the second half to cap the scoring in the 2-0 victory as the defending World Cup champs sealed a berth in the knockout stage.
“To be honest, I’m really happy about the win,” Messi said. “Especially as it’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned, but one that gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead.
“This is the World Cup. It was a very evenly matched, very intense match, and we’re happy to have picked up six points and to have already qualified” to the Round of 32.
‘Best in the world’
In giving Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, Messi scored his fourth goal of the 2026 World Cup and the 17th of his career in World Cups to break a tie with legendary German striker Miroslav Klose for most goals in Men’s World Cups.
“There isn’t much to say,” Argentina forward Julian Alvarez said. “We can all see that (Messi) is the best in the world.”
It was only fitting that Lionel Messi would break the all-time World Cup goal record in the run of play and with a Golazo, capital G.
Moreover, Messi joined France’s Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil’s Jairzinho (1970) as the only players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. Fontaine and Jairzinho accomplished their streaks in single World Cups. Messi’s streak spans over two tournaments.
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Messi actually had a golden opportunity to break the record early in the match. After Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez got behind the Austrian defense in the seventh minute, a pair of defenders made sliding tackles to stifle the scoring opportunity.
Lionel Messi missed penalty
After video review, referee Amin Mohamed Omar ruled that Stefan Posch committed a foul by kicking Martinez in the ankle. There was no doubt who would take the subsequent penalty kick.
Messi, who scored three goals in the 2026 World Cup opener, took the kick in the ninth minute. He missed, though. Messi pushed his left-footed shot wide right after taking a leisurely stutter-step approach, leaving the legendary forward with 16 World Cup goals over his career.
Messi threatened again in the 19th minute, but he was denied. Then in the 32nd minute defender David Alaba made a sliding save to deny Messi the record. Austria wasn’t so lucky six minutes later, and the Albiceleste and their fans rejoiced.
Messi added his second goal in stoppage time.
José de Jesus Ortiz
Founder & Editor in Chief
Award-winning writer Jose de Jesus Ortiz, a former lead sports columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has covered Major League Baseball since 1997 in Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, New York and Houston. He was the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
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