Lionel Messi made more FIFA World Cup history by becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer during Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in Group J.
Messi brushed off missing an earlier penalty by beating Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager late in the first half with a first-time left-foot finish for his 17th World Cup goal, overhauling former Germany striker Miroslav Klose as the tournament’s leading scorer.
The Argentina captain rounded off his record-breaking display by sealing victory for the holders with a second strike in stoppage time, following up Julian Alvarez’s shot to take his total tally in the global tournament to 18.
Messi netted against Austria to surpass Miroslav Klose
Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, also leads the scoring charts at this World Cup with five goals following his stunning hat-trick in the holders’ opening game against Algeria.
Messi has played in a joint-record six editions of the World Cup, scoring at five of those, with his first goal at the tournament coming against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.
Speaking prior to the tournament, and in anticipation of Messi breaking his record, Klose told FIFA: “Messi is simply Messi. I’ve always admired the way he solved problems and the way he carried himself as a person, even on the pitch.
“He always brought his team to life. In 2006 he was on the bench and [Juan Roman] Riquelme played, until Messi was given that trust. What he then made of football, and the way he did it, I take my hat off to that. Huge compliment!
“I’ve always been a Messi fan, and now that he’s standing in front of me, I have to say: that’s not too bad either!”
