IT was once again the Lionel Messi show as Argentina beat Austria.
The game got off to a thrilling start when Messi shockingly fired a penalty wide of the target.
But the legend finally broke Miroslav Klose’s record for most goals at a World Cup as he curled in a brilliant strike to put Argentina ahead.
And just before the final whistle he bundled in his 18th goal at a World Cup.
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Age Of Leo
Digital Sports ReporterLionel Messi has become the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Messi scored his 17th goal at World Cup finals against Austria with a trademark left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
He’d go on to add an 18th in second half stoppage time.
The Inter Miami ace had fluffed the chance to write his name in the history books 30 minutes earlier when he fired a penalty wide eight minutes into the game.
He was then denied again when he raced through on goal by Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, who stood tall to block an attempted chip.
But the little magician would not be denied a third time.
Age of Leo
Lionel Messi becomes top goalscorer in World Cup history with Argentina goal
Match report
Chelsea FC CorrespondentGodlike genius is always more attractive when it comes with a side order of human weakness.
Lionel Messi proved he is mortal by missing completely from 12 yards.
And frankly, where would the fun have been in setting a World Cup landmark with a penalty?
Much better to make everyone wait another half hour or so. Fail to convert another couple of half-chances.
And only then finish off a flowing move with a flourish of that wand of a left foot, before accepting the acclaim from the fans in the stands and the wider football world watching on TV.
It took Messi to 17 goals, ahead of Germany star Miroslav Klose, who was two clear of Argentina’s No10 before the tournament began.
For good measure, the Argentina captain added a late second to seal another unforgettable day.
Age of Leo
Lionel Messi becomes top goalscorer in World Cup history with Argentina goal
All-time record
Betting & Gaming WriterA look at the all-time World Cup scorers chart as Lionel Messi takes the lead – before extending it.
Kylian Mbappe will eclipse him at some point – maybe even this year.
But he sits top for now and it’s a huge night of records broken by the Argentina hero.
How the table sits
Betting & Gaming WriterArgentina will be confirmed as group winners if Jordan don’t beat Algeria in their next game.
Either way, Argentina will confirm it in their game with the Jordanians in any case and will hope to do so without conceding.
Rolling along
Betting & Gaming WriterTwo wins, five goals, none conceded.
The defending champions have started very well – though I’m not convinced with what they’ve beaten.
Tougher tests lie in wait but when you have the man who’s scored more World Cup goals in history than anyone else, anything is possible.
It must be a slight worry for Argentina and their head coach that they’re so, so reliant on the soon-to-be 39-year-old. He’s scored all of their five goals.
He’s good enough to carry them through so far but they need more from those around him.
As for Austria, they’ll be desperately disappointed this was a chance missed.
Marcel Sabitzer’s highlight being the quick move he made at the full time whistle to bag Messi’s shirt it seems. About his only involvement all evening.
Just nowhere near enough quality to threaten an Argentina side there for the taking.
Full-Time
Argentina
AustriaArgentina 2 – 0 Austria
FULL-TIME!
Argentina beat Austria 2-0.
Wrapped up
Betting & Gaming WriterThis poor second half didn’t deserve a goal but it gets one.
Julian Alvarez should score when sent clean through by Messi on the counter attack.
But Messi picks up the rebound and strikes it low and hard through some Austrian bodies and into the bottom corner.
Jubilant scenes on the touchline as the Argentina bench all run on to celebrate with him.
They’re not a great side at all. But they’ve got one hell of player who’s single-handedly dragging them through at the minute.
18 World Cup goals now – he’s two clear of Klose now!
Argentina 2 – 0 Austria
CLOSE!
Messi fires a free-kick from 30 yards, sending it low past the right-hand post.
He could have had a second hat-trick already in this tournament!
Goooooaaaal!
Argentina 2 – 0 Austria
Argentina · Attacker · #10GOAL!
MESSI EXTENDS HIS RECORD!
It started and ended with the genius.
Messi sprays the ball left to Alvarez, whose initial shot is saved.
Messi picks up the rebound, sees his first effort blocked, but drives the follow-up into the centre of the goal.
That’s 18 World Cup goals, and Argentina lead 2-0.
Game over!
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Oooh, a half-chance for Austria!
Sabitzer launches a free-kick deep, Danso meets it at the back post, and Wimmer then nods wide.
It wasn’t easy, but that might be their last opportunity.
Yellow Card
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Argentina · Midfielder · #5YELLOW CARD!
Paredes clatters into Chukwuemeka and goes into the book.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Messi takes the free-kick, but it’s not his best delivery.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Gonzalez is fouled by Wimmer in a dangerous position, just as five extra minutes are added on by the fourth official.
Never mind
Betting & Gaming WriterThey’ve taken Gregoritsch off.
Alvarez has a great chance to seal it but that chance is squandered.
No need for added time referee. This game is over with still four minutes left.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Both teams are giving the ball away cheaply in midfield.
Otamendi then goes in too hard on Wimmer.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
CLOSE!
Gonzalez gets in behind, flicks the ball over the defender, but Danso blocks his shot.
Fernandez’s follow-up is also blocked.
Argentina still lead 1-0 as we head into the closing stages.
Substitution
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Austria · Midfielder · #17
Austria · Attacker · #11SUB: Rangnick rolls the dice one last time as Chukwuemeka replaces Gregoritsch.
Onto Plan B
Betting & Gaming WriterI was in the middle of writing that Austria need to start going long.
When doing so, they go long to Gregoritsch who should bully both Martinez and Otamendi, given he’s probably nearly a foot taller than both of them.
He wins the ball in the air and looks to stab it through and Medina on the cover gets round the concede the corner.
Plenty more where that came from from the Europeans if they want to snatch a point.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Sabitzer takes the corner after those substitutions, but it comes to nothing again.
Substitution
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Argentina · Defender · #3
Argentina · Defender · #25SUB: Tagliafico replaces Medina, who was already on a yellow card.
Substitution
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Argentina · Midfielder · #5
Argentina · Midfielder · #7SUB: Argentina make another change as the experienced Paredes replaces De Paul.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Gregoritsch almost clips one through, but Medina does well to get across and whack the ball out for a corner.
Argentina 1 – 0 Austria
Messi spins and plays a lovely ball out wide to Gonzalez, but his pull-back is deflected to the goalkeeper.
Argentina 2 – 0 Austria
That’s full-time, and it’s a history-making night for Lionel Messi!
He steers Argentina into the last 32 with a brace in a 2-0 win over Austria.
Messi missed a ninth-minute penalty but dusted himself down to slide home the opener in the 38th minute after a wonderful team move.
The second half was a little drab, but Messi drilled in his second of the game, and fifth of the tournament, deep into injury time to seal the win.
Holders Argentina, with a superior xG of 2.65 to 0.5, are now guaranteed to progress from Group J before their final group-stage game with Jordan.
Austria round out their pool stage against Algeria and still have work to do.
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