ARLINGTON, Texas — Lionel Messi scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals as defending champion Argentina beat Austria 2-0 and moved into the knockout stage.
Messi entered level with Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals across four World Cups from 2002-14. He missed the chance to pass him in the ninth minute when his penalty went wide to the right, but Argentina kept pressing.
Messi Scores Twice After Penalty Miss
Almost 30 minutes later, Messi broke through. Alexander Schlager leaned the wrong way after Thiago Almada let Facuno Medina's pass run through to Messi's left foot, and the Argentina captain finished for the record.
“There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it,” Messi said.
Messi added another in the waning seconds of injury time, sending a shot through several defenders after Schlager had stopped his first attempt.
Argentina Clinch Group J Top Spot
The win extended Argentina's World Cup winning streak to eight matches since its loss to Saudi Arabia in its 2022 opener in Qatar. La Albiceleste later clinched the top spot in Group J when Jordan lost 2-1 to Algeria.
Messi has scored all five of Argentina's goals in the tournament and has 12 World Cup goals since turning 35. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in the Group J opener in Kansas City.
“Beyond anything I’m so happy for the win,” Messi said. “It was huge, tough and difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what’s ahead. All matches in this World Cup are very even, very intense. I’m enjoying this moment and craving to enjoy with my teammates.”
Austria Still Have Path Against Algeria
Austria, which opened with a 3-1 victory over Jordan, nearly cut into the deficit when Patrick Wimmer headed just wide after Kevin Danso redirected a free kick toward him.
“I think that we were in possession of the ball more than other people expected,” Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said through an interpreter. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to nullify every counter attack.”
Austria can still advance with a win over Algeria in Kansas City. Argentina face eliminated Jordan in their group-stage finale, with Messi's playing status in question because there is nothing at stake for the defending champions.
Two days before his 39th birthday, and with an ailing father back home, Messi celebrated in front of a sold-out, heavily pro-Argentine crowd at the home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys. The scoring record also came 40 years after Diego Maradona's “goal of the century” against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals in Mexico City, a tournament Argentina went on to win.
Messi also joined Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to score in six straight World Cup games. He is second among men with 122 international goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo 143.