In a tightly contested Group C encounter, Argentina faced Austria in Arlington, Texas, where Lionel Messi turned the match into a showcase of his World Cup pedigree.
His first strike, the 17th goal of his World Cup career, eclipsed the previous record held by Brazil's Marta, cementing his place as the tournament's all‑time leading scorer.
A record‑breaking night
The forward added a second goal later in the game, sealing a 2‑0 victory that highlighted Argentina's dominance and underscored Messi's clutch performance under pressure.
Earlier in the tournament, Messi had delivered a hat‑trick against Algeria, a display that propelled him to five goals in just three matches and positioned Argentina for a knockout‑stage berth.
With the win, Argentina secured second place in the group, setting up a showdown with the group winners in the round of 16, while Messi's record‑breaking tally continues to reshape the narrative of his international legacy.