Lionel Messi has etched his name further into football history after becoming the outright top scorer in FIFA Men’s World Cup finals.
The Argentina captain surpassed Germany’s Miroslav Klose by reaching 18 tournament goals during his side’s 2–0 victory over Austria in Dallas.
The milestone came in a commanding win that also secured Argentina’s progression to the Round of 32 in Group J, reinforcing their status as defending world champions.
Klose’s Longstanding Record Finally Broken
Miroslav Klose had held the World Cup scoring record since 2014, when he netted his 16th goal during Germany’s triumphant campaign in Brazil. That achievement stood untouched for more than a decade.
Messi, who famously played in that 2014 final defeat to Germany, ultimately surpassed the mark 12 years later, turning one of his career’s defining disappointments into a historic personal triumph.
Early Miss Adds Drama Before Breakthrough Moment
The match began with tension when Argentina were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute after Lautaro Martínez was fouled inside the box.
Messi stepped up with a chance to break the record early but dragged his shot wide of the right post, momentarily delaying the historic moment.
Despite the miss, Argentina maintained control of the match, gradually wearing down Austria’s defensive structure.
First Record Goal Arrives in Open Play
Messi eventually achieved the landmark in open play, finishing calmly from close range after converting Facundo Medina’s low delivery. The strike marked his 17th World Cup goal and officially moved him ahead of Klose.
The stadium erupted as teammates surrounded the Argentine captain, acknowledging the significance of the moment.
Late Strike Seals Brace and Expands Legacy
In stoppage time, Messi struck again. After a chaotic scramble inside the penalty area, he reacted quickest to fire the ball into the net, completing his brace and pushing his World Cup tally to 18 goals.
The performance also marked his 28th appearance at a World Cup finals, extending his record for most matches played in the competition.
Mbappé Emerges as Future Challenger
While Messi now stands alone at the top, the record may not be unassailable. France captain Kylian Mbappé remains the closest active challenger, having entered his latest match with 14 World Cup goals.
At 26, the 2018 World Cup winner still has multiple tournaments ahead of him to potentially close the gap.
Argentina Extend Winning Momentum
The victory continued Argentina’s impressive World Cup form, stretching their unbeaten run in the tournament to eight matches, including six wins and two draws. Across all competitions, they have now won nine consecutive games.
Austria, despite a strong recent record of 10 wins in their last 13 matches before this defeat, suffered only their second loss in that stretch, highlighting the level of competition in the group stage.
