Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina advance to knockout stages
Lionel Messi becomes all-time leading scorer in men’s tournament history with 17 goals, while Kylian Mbappé continues his strong campaign for France against Iraq.
Defending champions Argentina have mathematically secured their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a decisive 2-0 victory over Austria in Dallas. The result, achieved at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium in Arlington, Texas, before a crowd of 70,649, marks the second consecutive win for the South American side and solidifies their progression from the group stage.
The match was defined by a historic individual milestone for Lionel Messi. The 38-year-old captain scored a precise left-footed finish in the 38th minute, bringing his total tournament goals to 17 and establishing himself as the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. The brace against Austria, managed by Ralf Rangnic, underscored the Argentine captain’s enduring influence on the global stage despite the physical demands of the tournament.
Argentina’s path to victory was not without early turbulence. In the ninth minute, the defending champions missed a penalty opportunity after a VAR intervention ruled a foul on Lautaro Martinez. Messi’s subsequent attempt was dragged wide, but the team maintained their composure to secure the clean sheet and the necessary points for advancement.
In Philadelphia, France took the lead against Iraq in a fixture that highlighted the continued offensive threat of Kylian Mbappé. The French forward scored his third goal of the tournament, providing his side with an advantage in the contest. The match in Philadelphia stands in contrast to the definitive result in Texas, illustrating the varied fortunes of the tournament’s top-tier nations.
Elsewhere in Group J, Norway faced Senegal in New Jersey, while Jordan played Algeria in Santa Clara, California. The outcomes of these fixtures remain part of the broader group dynamics, though specific results were not detailed in the immediate report. The group stage continues to shape the trajectory of the competition, with Argentina now focused on the knockout rounds.
Amidst the sporting action, misinformation regarding the tournament circulated on social media. A viral video falsely alleged that Algerian fans chanted against Messi ahead of Argentina’s opening match against Algeria in Kansas City. Fact-checking by FRANCE 24 confirmed that the audio in the clip was actually from an old Egyptian political protest, highlighting the need for verification in the digital age.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to draw significant attention across the United States, with matches spanning multiple cities. As Argentina prepares for the next phase, the focus shifts to how other teams navigate the remaining group fixtures and the challenges of the knockout stage.
