Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time top scorer when he scored both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 Group J win over Austria in Dallas to seal the winners’ place in the last 32.
Messi reached a total of 18 goals in the World Cup when he scored in the 38th and 95th minutes after missing a penalty kick as Argentina got their second win and advanced to six points.
Her first goal overtook Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in men’s World Cup history and her second ensured she surpassed Marta’s 17 goals at the women’s tournament, which was the overall record.
The Inter Miami man, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on Wednesday, showed few signs of slowing down as he scored his fourth and fifth goals in two games so far in the final.
That was despite showing the usual weakness from 12 yards when he missed the chance in the eighth minute to advance Klose’s goal, which he scored for a hat-trick against Algeria last week.
Lautaro Martinez was laid to rest when he ran into the area with a combination of Stefan Posch and Xaver Schlager although referee Amin Omar needed to look at the pitch monitor before awarding a penalty which Messi dragged wide.
It was the third World Cup penalty miss of Messi’s career, the first against Iceland in Russia in 2018 and the second against Poland four years later.
David Alaba then twice frustrated Messi, laying the ball towards goalkeeper Alexander Schlager as he set up a shot and then blocking a shot on goal but Austria’s defense could do nothing to stop Argentina taking the lead.
Thiago Almada was the architect of the opener as he drove into the area, laying the ball to Facundo Medina on his left and, after Almada let the pass pass through his legs, an unmarked Messi calmly slotted home.
Emi Martinez pushed Marcel Sabitzer’s set-piece to safety after seeing Cristian Romero give up an unwanted free-kick in the penalty area as Austria looked for an equalizer early in the second half.
Michael Gregoritsch headed his subsequent effort over the bar for Ralf Rangnick’s side, who were rarely able to increase their quality in the final third and trouble their opponents.
Messi almost set up Nico Gonzalez to score and give the champions some breathing room, but the substitute headed the left-wing corner into the Austrian goal just after half-time.
The second goal was finally scored by Messi shortly before the final whistle.
Julian Alvarez’s initial effort was saved by Schlager but the rebound was worked to Messi who, after seeing his first shot blocked, fired a low shot from six yards that sealed the points.
Reuters
