Messi’s Milestone Night in Dallas
Lionel Messi struck twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2‑0 in a World Cup match held in Dallas, Texas. The victory gave the South American side six points and secured their place in the knockout stage.
The first strike not only gave Argentina the lead but also saw Messi surpass Germany’s Miroslav Klose, becoming the all‑time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. His second goal later eclipsed Brazil’s Marta, who had held the overall record with 17 goals, cementing Messi’s place at the summit of the tournament’s scoring charts.
Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on Wednesday, missed an eighth‑minute penalty that could have opened the scoring. A foul on Lautaro Martinez resulted in a penalty after a video review, but the spot‑kick was saved.
Thiago Almada supplied the assist for the opening goal, while Emi Martinez made a key save from Marcel Sabitzer’s set‑piece. David Alaba blocked two of Messi’s attempts, and Stefan Posch’s defensive effort was complemented by Xaver Schlager’s midfield work. Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch headed wide, and Nico Gonzalez was narrowly missed by Messi in a late chance.
A Record‑Breaking Performance
With his brace, Messi added two more goals to his tally, bringing his World Cup total to 18 and extending his record. The achievement underscores his longevity and impact across multiple tournaments, and it will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the competition.
Argentina’s backline, featuring Cristian Romero and Facundo Medina, limited Austria’s opportunities, while the team’s overall performance was praised by analysts.