Messi becomes World Cup all-time leading scorer as Argentina beat Austria - watch history-making moment
Argentina legend overtakes Germany's Klose
Is Messi the greatest World Cup player ever? Have your say
Messi scores again after break to secure victory
Scaloni's side book place in last 32 with victory, Austria second as it stands
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
History was made tonight as Lionel Messi struck his 17th and 18th World Cup goals to pull clear at the top of the all-time list.
Oh, and Argentina are through to the round of 32.
We'll end this live text with all 18 of Messi's goals on the grandest stage of them all.
Head over to France v Iraq for even more action. See you over there.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert on BBC One
The Gods of football obviously didn't want him to break the record with a penalty, they wanted him to break the record with a goal from open play.
The team helps to make the stars. Over the last these two World Cups, Lionel Messi has been right at the centre.
Argentina have built the team around him and I just don't want the carnival to end.
He can dribble while watching TV and he can change the channels, the ball is so much a part of him.
Messi becomes the World cup top goal scorer as Argentina get to the round on 32
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Olivier Giroud
Former France forward on BBC One
For a few years now, Lionel Messi is recovering when Argentina have the ball and then doing his magic when the ball comes to him.
He is not suffering physically, he is managing his healthy lifestyle well - he has to because otherwise you cannot stay playing that long.
He's unbelievable. He has been blessed that he can just play game after game.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Chris Sutton
Former England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live at Dallas Stadium
I suppose the negative side for Lionel Scaloni is he probably wants other players to contribute with goals. They can't just rely on Messi, or can they?
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I know Messi is looking good, but it's hard to look past Kane for Golden Boot at this World Cup.
Lewis, London
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live at Dallas Stadium
Lionel Messi actually drops deeper, so that he can see the whole of the pitch.
For him, it has always been about intelligence.
With him being involved it means winning, which has happened since he was 11. The whole team plays for him.
There is an emotional side to things where I am not sure everyone wants Ronaldo to succeed at Portugal.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Ashley Williams
Former Wales defender on BBC One
Are we looking at the greatest player ever? It's possible.
It's definitely worth the debate.
We might have just witnessed the greatest player that football has ever seen.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Cesar Azpilicueta
Former Spain defender on BBC One
Image source, Getty ImagesMemorable moment, breaking the record.
For Lionel Messi, scoring two goals after coming from a hat-trick, I think is a pretty impressive start at the World Cup.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Woah, Leopold, no need for that!!
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As an Austrian that was a pretty good performance. We had good passes, but it is hard to beat Argentina. I don't know what all these people are on about. it's not like England would beat Argentina.
Leopold, Vienna
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live at Dallas Stadium
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is another record.
We don't have time to create statues for Lionel Messi or deep analysis for him in newspapers. We cannot keep pace.
He is enjoying it and this is the best thing. I have seen him play World Cups where he couldn't last 90 minutes. Here at the end, he was running like anyone else, now he knows his body so well.
Messi doesn't need to run. He doesn't even need explosive pace to beat defenders, he just does it with intelligence. I think we're going to see him in four years time.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Chris Sutton
Former England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live at Dallas Stadium
Lionel Messi magic once again for Argentina. It is not just his goals, but it is his contribution to the team. The way he knits things together. He is the little guy for the big moments. Scintillating here in Dallas. For Argentina, it is job done. They are the masters of finding a way. Simply too good for Austria.
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Lionel Messi should just win the Ballon d’Or every year until he retires. Anyone who doesn’t think Messi is the best player of this or any year is kidding themselves.
Andy, Leigh
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Argentina's win means Lionel Messi has won 18 matches a player, overtaking Miroslav Klose's 17.
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Start thinking it, Messi is likely to play another World Cup.
Kelechi, Lagos
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live at Dallas Stadium
This is a team built for Lionel Messi.
Thiago Almada is in the box, the ball comes to him with the possibility of scoring in the World Cup. What does he do?
He lets the ball pass through his legs because he sees Messi is coming, and he could do better. Almada is a perfect example of what this team does.
Messi is a man of moments. You know if he has some space, he is going to create something that somebody won't think of.
Let him score as many goals as he can. What is going to happen is they are all going to give him the ball to do so.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Olivier Giroud
Former France forward on BBC One
Lionel Messi is getting better and better with age.
Five goals for Argentina in two games, the only scorer.
He is always in the right place at the right time.
He is in the middle to create and dictate the game.
FT: Argentina 2-0 Austria
Lionel Messi has scored 10 goals in his last six World Cup games.
Messi becomes the World Cup's all-time top goalscorer as Argentina reach last 32
At a glance
Lionel Messi misses an early penalty for Argentina, shooting wide
But forward, 39 on Wednesday, sweeps home opener to become World Cup's record top scorer with 17th goal
Messi scores again in 95th minute for his 18th tournament goal to settle outcome in Group J tie
Victory takes holders Argentina into last 32, with Austria on three points
Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer as his double against Austria sent holders Argentina into the last 32.
The forward, who turns 39 on Wednesday, got his 17th and 18th goals at tournaments to move two clear of Germany striker Miroslav Klose, whose tally came between 2002 and 2014.
Messi's milestone moment came in the 38th minute of the Group J encounter in Dallas, sweeping home a first-time finish from just inside the penalty area after Thiago Almada had cleverly let Facundo Medina's pull-back go through his legs to tee up his team-mate.
The talismanic frontman's second came in second-half stoppage time as he fired home from a tight angle past two Austrian defenders after Julian Alvarez had been denied by keeper Alexander Schlager.
However, Messi could have broken the record earlier in the match.
After only eight minutes, Argentina were awarded a penalty following Stefan Posch's foul on Lautaro Martinez, with Austria defender Xaver Schlager also making a challenge, but Messi fired the spot-kick wide.
That disappointment soon turned to celebration, though, in another display of his class on a historic night.
He is now the top scorer in the 2026 competition, with five goals in two matches following a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Algeria in their opening group game.
Before Messi's second, Austria - managed by former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick - had a chance to make it 1-1.
But Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez pushed away a powerful free-kick from Marcel Sabitzer, who was making his 100th international appearance.
Argentina, with six points, now join Mexico, the United States and Germany in having qualified for the last 32, and they will be confirmed as Group J winners if Jordan do not beat Algeria in the later game (Tuesday, 04:00 BST).
Having beaten Jordan in their opener, Austria still remain in contention on three points.
Messi becomes World Cup all-time leading scorer - how has he stayed at the top?
Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer
A record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi has defied age and belief with his scoring feats, with 12 of his 18 World Cup goals coming after turning 35.
He became just the third player in the tournament's history to score in six consecutive games, following France's Just Fontaine in 1958 and Brazilian Jairzinho in 1970.
Messi's first came 20 years ago against Serbia and Montenegro aged 18, but he did not score in the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Four more followed in 2014 - including a double in a 3-2 win over Nigeria - followed by one in 2018, against Nigeria again.
In 2022, captain Messi inspired Argentina to World Cup glory, scoring seven times, including two in the final against France, which his side won 4-2 on penalties after it had finished 3-3 following extra time.
Messi, now playing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, began this tournament three behind Klose, but his hat-trick against Algeria put him level with the German.
This double against Austria - taking his international tally for his country to 122 goals in 201 games - put him out in front, although France's Kylian Mbappe will have the all-time landmark in his sights too.
The 27-year-old is joint fourth in the list on 14, and will be hoping to score more goals in this tournament, with group games against Iraq on Monday (22:00 BST) and then Norway on 26 June (20:00 BST) to come.
Messi, though, will also be looking to extend his own mark as Argentina face Jordan in their last group match on 28 June, before the knockout stages start.
18 Lionel Messi (Argentina, 2006-2026)
16 Miroslav Klose (Germany, 2002-2014)
15 Ronaldo (Brazil, 1994-2006)
14 Gerd Muller (West Germany, 1970-1974)
14 Kylian Mbappe (France, 2018-2026)
13 Just Fontaine (France, 1958)
12 Pele (Brazil, 1958-1970)
11 Sandor Kocsis (Hungary, 1954)
11 Jurgen Klinsmann (West Germany and Germany, 1990-1998)
10 Helmut Rahn (West Germany, 1954-1958)
10 Gary Lineker (England, 1986-1990)
10 Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina, 1994-2002)
10 Harry Kane (England, 2018-2026)
10 Teofilo Cubillas (Peru, 1970-1982)
10 Thomas Muller (Germany, 2010-2022)
10 Grzegorz Lato (Poland, 1974-1982)
Argentina end their group phase with a game against Jordan, while Austria take on Algeria with both games starting at 03:00 BST on Sunday, 28 June.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
|
Manager:Lionel Scaloni
Formation:4 - 4 - 2
Manager:Ralf Rangnick
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Argentina |
2' | Argentina |
3' | Argentina |
4' | Argentina |
5' | Argentina |
6' | Argentina |
7' | Argentina |
8' | Argentina |
9' | Austria |
10' | Austria |
11' | Austria |
12' | Austria |
13' | Austria |
14' | Austria |
15' | Austria |
16' | Austria |
17' | Austria |
18' | Austria |
19' | Argentina |
20' | Argentina |
21' | Argentina |
22' | Austria |
23' | Austria |
24' | Austria |
25' | Austria |
26' | Austria |
27' | Austria |
28' | Austria |
29' | Austria |
30' | Austria |
31' | Austria |
32' | Argentina |
33' | Argentina |
34' | Argentina |
35' | Argentina |
36' | Austria |
37' | Argentina |
38' | ArgentinaGoal |
39' | Argentina |
40' | Argentina |
41' | Argentina |
42' | Austria |
43' | Austria |
44' | Austria |
45' | Austria |
45'+1 | Austria |
45'+2 | Austria |
45'+3 | Austria |
45'+4 | Austria |
45'+5 | Austria |
45'+6 | Argentina |
Half time 45'+7 | Argentina |
46' | Austria |
47' | Austria |
48' | Austria |
49' | Austria |
50' | Argentina |
51' | Austria |
52' | Austria |
53' | Argentina |
54' | Austria |
55' | Austria |
56' | Austria |
57' | Austria |
58' | Austria |
59' | Austria |
60' | Austria |
61' | Argentina |
62' | Argentina |
63' | Argentina |
64' | Argentina |
65' | Argentina |
66' | Argentina |
67' | Austria |
68' | Austria |
69' | Austria |
70' | Austria |
71' | Austria |
72' | Austria |
73' | Argentina |
74' | Argentina |
75' | Argentina |
76' | Argentina |
77' | Austria |
78' | Austria |
79' | Austria |
80' | Austria |
81' | Austria |
82' | Austria |
83' | Austria |
84' | Austria |
85' | Austria |
86' | Argentina |
87' | Argentina |
88' | Argentina |
89' | Austria |
90' | Argentina |
90'+1 | Argentina |
90'+2 | Argentina |
90'+3 | Austria |
90'+4 | Argentina |
90'+5 | ArgentinaGoal |
90'+6 | Argentina |
90'+7 | Argentina |
Full time 90'+8 | Argentina |
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