Argentina's Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goals record vs. Austria

Field Level Media|published: Mon 22nd June, 14:08 2026

June 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Lionel Messi added to his legacy Monday afternoon by scoring his record-breaking 17th career World Cup goal in the first half of Argentina's match vs. Austria in Arlington, Texas, breaking a tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored the historic goal on a first-touch left-footed strike from just inside the 18-yard box in the 38th minute off an assist from Facundo Medina.

Messi, who became one of the first two players to appear in six World Cups last week alongside Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, entered this summer's event three goals behind Klose. Behind his first career World Cup hat trick in the Group J opener vs. Algeria on June 16, he pulled even entering the second group-stage match.

He appeared destined to break the record approximately 30 minutes earlier when Lautaro Martinez was tackled in the box and Argentina was awarded a penalty kick. However, Messi missed the ensuing penalty kick wide of the right post in the ninth minute.

--Field Level Media

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