Historic Moment for Messi
Lionel Messi continues to make his mark in the world of football as he became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with two goals against Austria in Group J action on Monday. The 2-0 victory at Dallas Stadium ensured that Argentina, the defending champions, advanced to the Round of 32.
Messi, who will turn 39 on Wednesday, now has 18 World Cup goals, surpassing the 16-goal record of German player Miroslav Klose. His first goal of the night came in the 38th minute, a powerful shot from inside the penalty area after Facundo Medina's clever cross was left through the legs of Thiago Almada. The second goal came in stoppage time of the second half, when he struck from a tight angle past two Austrian defenders.
Intense Match
Argentina started the match strongly, but Messi missed an early chance to break the record when his penalty in the eighth minute went wide. However, the historic moment eventually arrived, and Messi did not look back. Austria, managed by Ralf Rangnick, put up a fierce challenge, but their failure to capitalize on opportunities led to their defeat. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez performed brilliantly, saving a free-kick from Marcel Sabitzer, who was making his 100th appearance for Austria.
Analysis and Reactions
Football experts praised Messi's brilliance. Tim Vickery from BBC Sport said, "He could be juggling while watching TV and changing channels, the ball is so much a part of him." Olivier Giroud, former French striker, added, "Messi gets better with age. He is always in the right place at the right time." Meanwhile, Guillem Balague described the Argentina team as built specifically for Messi, with players like Almada deliberately letting the ball go through his legs to give their captain a chance.
Match Report
The match saw Argentina dominate possession, but Austria did not give up easily. In the first half, Argentina were awarded a penalty after Stefan Posch fouled Lautaro Martinez, but Messi failed to convert. However, he soon redeemed himself with a goal that shook the net. The second half saw Austria attempt to equalize, but Argentina's defense, led by Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero, remained strong. Messi closed the match with his second goal in stoppage time, marking an emotional and historic performance.
Implications and Next Steps
With this victory, Argentina now has six points and qualifies for the Round of 32. They will face Jordan in their final group match. Austria, who have three points, still have a chance to advance if they beat Algeria. Messi, now the top scorer, will aim to add to his goal tally as the team progresses to the knockout stages. His outstanding performance since the 2022 World Cup continues to inspire Argentina and football fans around the world.
---
*Original source: [bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cze914jw558t)*