Lionel Messi broke the all-time World Cup goal record on Monday, 22 June 2026, scoring twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in Dallas to move clear of Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 18 goals.
The result confirmed defending champions Argentina’s place in the knockout rounds and capped a landmark night for the 38-year-old captain.
Messi had drawn level with Klose only days earlier, and the double against Austria settled both the record and his team’s progress in Group J.
How Messi broke the World Cup goal record
Messi entered Monday’s match on 16 goals, level with Klose, after his hat-trick in Argentina’s opening win over Algeria on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. He missed an early penalty against Austria, then curled home from a cutback in the 38th minute to claim the record outright.
Austria had frustrated Argentina for long spells before Messi’s opener. The captain’s missed penalty in the opening exchanges briefly denied him the outright record and lifted the underdogs, who pushed for an equaliser until the second goal settled matters in the closing stages.
The 38-year-old added a second goal late on to seal the 2-0 win at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The result confirmed defending champions Argentina’s place in the knockout rounds, with one Group J fixture still left to play.
What Messi said after setting the record
Messi struck a measured tone afterwards, focusing on the team rather than the milestone. The Argentina captain said:
“Beyond anything I’m so happy for the win. It was huge, tough and difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what’s ahead.”
The double also took Messi clear of women’s World Cup record holder Marta of Brazil, who stands on 17, as well as Klose on 16. He has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches stretching back to the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Klose set the previous men’s record of 16 goals across four tournaments between 2002 and 2014, a mark that had stood for more than a decade. Messi reached 18 in his sixth World Cup, having made his debut at the 2006 finals in Germany as a teenager.
What comes next for Argentina
Argentina arrived in the United States as defending champions and have looked the part through the group stage.
The opening rout of Algeria, sealed by the Messi hat-trick, set the tone, and Monday’s win means they top Group J ahead of their final fixture.
The milestone adds to a career that already includes the 2022 World Cup title, multiple Ballon d’Or awards and the all-time record for goals at a single club with Barcelona. For many supporters, the scoring mark cements his standing among the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Argentina move into the last 32 as one of the tournament favourites, with Messi widely expected to retire from international football after this World Cup.
His next outing will come in the knockout stage, where the holders begin their defence of the title they won in 2022.
