By Carolyn Coene
Lionel Messi is no stranger to scoring goals and breaking records, and he's doing it again in his sixth World Cup.
Rewriting the record books
Lionel Messi continued his standout World Cup career with another record-setting performance in his sixth appearance at the tournament. Despite missing an early penalty kick, he bounced back to score twice and lead Argentina to a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday. The goals pushed his World Cup total to 18, further extending his place in the record books. Just days earlier, Messi had recorded his first World Cup hat trick, which tied Germany's Miroslav Klose for the all-time scoring record. Later that same day, France's Kylian Mbappé matched Klose's mark of 16 goals after scoring twice in a 3-0 win over Iraq.
"Beyond anything, I'm so happy for the win," Messi said. "It was huge, tough, and difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what's ahead. All matches in this World Cup are very even, very intense. I'm enjoying this moment and craving to enjoy with my teammates."
Resilience amidst personal challenges
Messi scored his first goal against Austria in the 38th minute, just two days before his 39th birthday, and during a period when his family has been dealing with his father's illness. Messi's family said last week that his father has been receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, though they did not release further information. Jorge Messi, 68, has long been a key figure in his son's career, serving as his agent and handling his business affairs off the field.
The goal also marked his sixth straight World Cup match with a goal, placing him alongside France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho as the only players to achieve that streak.
That occurred roughly a half-hour after he missed a penalty that would have tied the record.
"There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I was able to make up for it," said Messi, who has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards as the best player in Europe.
Securing the knockout stage
Argentina secured a place in the knockout round after winning its first two Group J matches. Messi also scored all of his team's goals in a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City. He later added his 18th World Cup goal in the last few seconds of stoppage time, finishing through multiple defenders after goalkeeper Alexander Schlager saved his initial shot.
"I knew it wasn't going to be easy," Messi said in translated remarks. "The way things are going in the World Cup, the way it's being played, it's a very even game. No one is giving away anything."
A historic milestone in Dallas
Messi took sole possession of the World Cup scoring record in the first half after Schlager was caught leaning the wrong way. The chance came when Thiago Almada let Facundo Medina's pass run through to Messi, who finished from about 20 yards out with his left foot.
Messi celebrated his record-breaking goal by running to the corner and raising his arm in front of 70,649 fans at the sold-out Dallas Cowboys stadium, with most of the crowd supporting Argentina.
"Someone who is 39 years old and can score two goals, and five goals overall at the beginning of the World Cup, well, that makes a difference," Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said through an interpreter. "We knew that he is on a level of his own, and Lionel Messi showed us today that he's one of the best, and he is the best."
Looking ahead to Miami
Argentina now sit on six points and are in control of Group J, securing a place in the knockout stage. If Algeria wins their next match, Argentina will be confirmed as group winners and will move on to a last-32 game in Miami on Friday, July 3, against the second-placed team from Group H.
Sources: