Lionel Messi added another memorable chapter to his illustrious career on the World Cup stage. Scoring twice against Austria, the Argentine captain climbed to the top of the tournament’s all-time scoring chart, leading Argentina to a 2-0 victory and securing the team’s place in the knockout stage.
Argentina earned an early opportunity to take the lead when a VAR review awarded a penalty in the ninth minute. However, Messi’s effort was denied by the Austrian goalkeeper.
The missed penalty failed to unsettle the Argentine star. In the 38th minute of the first half, Messi opened the scoring with a superb finish following a well-crafted attacking move. The goal took his World Cup tally to 17, moving him ahead of Miroslav Klose.
Messi struck again in stoppage time, converting at the second attempt to raise his personal tally to 18 goals and seal Argentina’s victory.
Speaking after the match, Messi said Argentina had earned the win through determination and quality despite facing a tough opponent. With qualification for the knockout stage secured, he added, the team can now focus calmly on the challenges ahead.
Reflecting humorously on his missed penalty, Messi remarked that had he scored from the spot early on, the opportunity for the other two goals might never have come. He added that he was more satisfied with the team’s overall performance than with his individual achievements.