ARLINGTON (USA) : Football legend Lionel Messi scored two historic goals on Monday, June 22, to guide Argentina National Football Team into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup. With the brace, Messi became the highest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Playing in a record sixth World Cup, the 38-year-old now has 18 goals in the tournament. He surpassed the long-standing record of 16 goals held by Miroslav Klose.
Argentina defeated Austria National Football Team 2-0, with Messi finding the net in the 38th and 95th minutes. His first goal was his 17th in World Cup history, taking him past Klose’s record. He then added an 18th goal in stoppage time to further extend the mark.
History is made.
Lionel Messi is the all-time top goalscorer in @FIFAWorldCup history! 🤩🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/iv8Oelxic2— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 22, 2026
Forty Years After Maradona’s Famous Brace
Exactly 40 years earlier, on June 22 during the 1986 World Cup, Diego Maradona had inspired Argentina to victory over England with two memorable goals. One of those strikes, the infamous “Hand of God” goal, remains one of football’s most debated moments.
Primer golaso de Messi hoy.
— SIEMPRE ADELANTE (@VIVIRLAVIDA6512) June 23, 2026
🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷💪 pic.twitter.com/b8Y2cgfl19
All Five Argentina Goals Scored by Messi
Argentina have played two matches in this World Cup and scored five goals in total. Remarkably, all five have come from Messi.
Last week, Messi netted a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria. On Monday, he added two more goals as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0.
My view of Lionel Messi’s second goal today.
— D Dowd (@david_m_dowd) June 22, 2026
He receives the ball here… and 12 seconds later the GOAT adds another World Cup goal to his all-time record.
Will we ever see another player like Messi?#Messi #WorldCup #Argentina pic.twitter.com/BNKPM7TkW5
It Could Have Been a Hat-Trick
Messi had an early opportunity to break the record from the penalty spot. However, the Argentine star failed to convert the penalty. Despite the miss, he eventually set the new world record with his 38th-minute strike before sealing the win with another goal deep into stoppage time in the 95th minute.
@FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/t7kEOYsRxx
— Beyond Club Badge (@BeyondClubBadge) June 23, 2026
A Look at Messi’s Two Stunning Goals
38th Minute: Messi received a pass from Facundo Medina and controlled the ball inside the box before firing a left-footed shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.
95th Minute: As Argentina pushed forward, Messi passed to Julián Álvarez. Instead of shooting himself, Álvarez returned the ball to Messi. His initial effort was blocked by an Austrian defender, but Messi reacted instantly and buried the rebound into the net to complete the 2-0 victory.
The win secured Argentina’s place in the knockout rounds, while Messi added yet another extraordinary chapter to his unparalleled World Cup career.
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