Football's greatest scorer was human for five minutes — then became immortal again. Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the fifth minute, was denied the all-time World Cup scoring record, and the world held its breath. He then scored it anyway in the 38th minute to move past Miroslav Klose and stand alone at the summit of World Cup history. A second goal in the 90th minute plus five completed a 2-0 win for Argentina that booked their place in the Round of 32. Messi now has 18 World Cup goals — two clear of Klose. The storybook continues.
THE GOALS
The drama began inside two minutes. Lautaro Martinez drove into the box, was caught by Stefan Posch, and VAR confirmed a penalty. Messi stepped up with history on his hands — one goal would take him clear of Klose's all-time record. He dragged it wide. The keeper — Aleksandar Schlager — was not even tested. Dallas Stadium went silent.
But Messi does not stay down for long. In the 38th minute, he received the ball in his customary pocket of space just inside the Austrian half, drove forward and fired Argentina into the lead. His 17th World Cup goal — the record broken. As CBS Sports' Roger Gonzalez noted: "This is an incredible milestone. Two decades of World Cup history began on June 16, 2006, when an 18-year-old Messi came off the bench against Serbia and Montenegro in Germany and scored. Twenty years later, almost to the day, he has surpassed the legendary Ronaldo of Brazil and now Klose." Argentina led at half-time.
Austria made them work for the win. Danso was outstanding at centre-back, blocking a Nico Gonzalez chance with a brilliant last-ditch slide tackle. Wimmer headed a Sabitzer free-kick wide when well-placed. Austria deserved credit for refusing to capitulate. But Messi had other ideas. In the 90th minute plus five, a counter-attack was finished with Lautaro Alvarez's shot saved by Schlager — the ball bounced back to Messi and he slammed home the rebound at the second attempt to make it 2-0 and seal the win. His 18th World Cup goal. Two clear of Klose. Game over.
HOW THE GAME PLAYED OUT
Dallas was effectively a home game for Argentina — a sea of blue and white from end to end, with Messi chants audible before kick-off. Scaloni named an unchanged XI from the Algeria win. Austria made three changes from their victory over Jordan, bringing in Danso, Wanner and Gregoritsch. Argentina dominated without ever finding the ruthlessness their position deserved for long periods — Austria's disciplined Rangnick organisation limiting them to half-chances, with Almada hitting the side netting early on and Nico Gonzalez heading wide from a Messi corner. David Alaba was prominent in the first half before making way for Arnautovic in the second. Sabitzer came closest to an Austrian equaliser. Ultimately, the story of the match belonged entirely to one man.
LINEUPS
Argentina (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Medina, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, De Paul, Enzo Fernandez; Almada, Lautaro Martinez, Messi. Unchanged from Algeria.
Austria (4-3-3): A. Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba, Laimer; Seiwald, X. Schlager, Wanner; Schmid, Sabitzer, Gregoritsch. Subs: Arnautovic (for Alaba), Wimmer (came on, headed wide).
THE NUMBERS
18 — Messi's World Cup goals, the most in men's history. 17 — was the record he broke in the 38th minute. 5 — minute of the missed penalty. 2 — goals clear of Klose. 20 — years since Messi scored his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro.
WHAT IT MEANS
Argentina are through to the Round of 32 with a perfect six points from two games. They face Jordan in their final group game — already with qualification sealed. Messi, 38, has already produced one of the great individual World Cup campaigns after two games. The question of whether he can add to his 18 goals and guide Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup title is the defining narrative of the tournament.
