Event
Lionel Messi scored twice to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in the 2026 World Cup, sending the champions into the last 32. The goals made Messi the all-time leading scorer in men's World Cup history with 17 goals. Argentina played at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Texas before a crowd of 70,649.
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Lionel Messi’s brace against Austria sees him surpass Miroslav Klose’s all-time tally, cementing his legacy as the tournament’s highest scorer while Argentina clinch a place in the knockout stages.
Background
Lionel Messi scored a brace to lead defending champions Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their 2026 World Cup Group J fixture. The match, held at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington, Texas, on 22 June 2026, saw Messi become the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history with 17 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16. Argentina secured their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare. The tournament is being hosted across North America, with previous fixtures including the United States’ 4-1 opening win over Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Lionel Messi scored a brace to lead defending champions Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their 2026 World Cup Group J fixture. The match, held at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington, Texas, on 22 June 2026, saw Messi become the all-time leading scorer in men’s Worl
Fact cards
Key entities: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Austria, World Cup 2026, Dallas Cowboys.
2026-06-11 (approx): USA defeat Paraguay 4-1 in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California. 2026-06-22: Argentina play Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup; Messi scores a hat-trick. 2026-06-22 (approx): Austria defeat Jord
Timeline
USA defeat Paraguay 4-1 in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California.
Argentina play Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup; Messi scores a hat-trick.
Austria defeat Jordan 3-1 in their opening match.
Argentina play Austria in Arlington, Texas; attendance is 70,649.
Argentina miss a penalty in the 9th minute when Messi’s attempt is dragged wide following a VAR intervention for a foul on Lautaro Martinez.
Messi scores his first goal in the 38th minute with a left-footed finish, becoming the all-time leading World Cup scorer with 17 goals.
Messi scores his second goal in injury time, outfoxing four defenders in a scramble.
Argentina secure their place in the last 16 with two wins from two matches.