Messi sends Argentina through with record-breaking double against Austria

ARLINGTON: Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 on Monday to secure a place in the World Cup last 32, with the forward setting a new all-time tournament scoring mark.

Messi, playing at his sixth World Cup, struck late in the first half in Texas after a move involving Facundo Medina and Thiago Almada to take his tally at the tournament to 17 goals, moving past Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16. He added a second deep into stoppage time in the second half after working his way past four defenders.

The 38-year-old had the chance to open the scoring much earlier but missed from the penalty spot in the ninth minute. The spot-kick was awarded after referee Amin Mohamed pointed to the spot following a VAR intervention when Lautaro Martinez was fouled in the box by two Austrian players. Messi's effort drifted wide in front of a crowd of 70,649 at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium, where Argentina had strong backing in the stands.

Argentina had further openings before the breakthrough. In the 19th minute, Austria captain David Alaba intervened to take the ball away from Messi as he moved into a dangerous position, and Alaba blocked another effort just after the half-hour with goalkeeper Alexander Schlager out of position. Austria, coached by Ralf Rangnick and coming off a 3-1 win over Jordan in their opener, were content to defend deep and did not register a shot on target before the interval.

Record falls in Texas

Messi's first goal came in the 38th minute, when Medina found him after Almada allowed the ball to run through his legs, leaving the Argentina captain with a clear finish. The goal followed the hat-trick Messi scored in Argentina's 3-0 opening win over Algeria, when he had drawn level with Klose's record.

Messi was tearful after his first goal against Algeria, and that it later emerged his father is recovering from an unspecified health issue. The Inter Miami forward had not decided until late whether he would play the tournament in North America.

Argentina did not create many further clear chances after going ahead, and much of the second half passed without sustained pressure from either side. Austria threatened slightly more after the break, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was seriously tested only once.

Messi then settled the result at the death with his second goal, ensuring Argentina advanced with six points from two matches and reached the knockout stage with a game to spare.

Speaking after the match, Messi told broadcasters “Very happy for the victory, it was very important, hard, hard, hard, and it gives us peace of mind for what is to come”.

He added “The match was even, intense and we are happy to get six points”.

Argentina striker Julian Alvarez praised his captain's display, saying “There is not much to say about Leo. More than 20 years being the best in the world, he is the best in history”.

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick also paid tribute to Messi after the match.

“We knew that he is on a level of his own, and Lionel Messi showed us today that he's the best”, he stated.

Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has had mixed results from penalties at the World Cup by his standards. He missed against Poland in a 2-0 win at the 2022 tournament and also failed from the spot at the 2018 World Cup, though Argentina went on to lift the title in 2022.