Messi Breaks World Cup Scoring Record, Leads Argentina to Knockout Stage

Ekhbary News Agency | 2026-05-12T14:30:00Z

Argentina — In a historic achievement, football superstar Lionel Messi shattered scoring records during Argentina's match against Austria, netting two goals to bring his tournament tally to 5, thus leading the current edition's top scorers. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Messi was also awarded Man of the Match, cementing his status as the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 18 goals, eclipsing the previous record held by German legend Miroslav Klose, who scored 16.

Messi Expresses Joy Over Achievement and Victory

Upon receiving the Man of the Match award, Messi shared his elation: "I'm very happy. It was an important and difficult win, and we knew this match would be tough and intense. We had to give our absolute best." The Inter Miami forward added, "I'm happy with the result and the qualification. Securing 6 points is crucial for peace of mind, allowing for a calmer atmosphere next week."

Focus Remains on Winning Every Match

Regarding his historic milestone, the Argentine captain emphasized that the team's sole focus was on securing victory. He noted, "All matches are difficult. The encounter with Austria was even, and at times, quite challenging." He further clarified that while the Austrian team did not pose significant danger, the match demanded quick play. Messi concluded by reiterating, "The most important thing is qualification. Our goal is to win every match against any opponent, and that's something that won't come easily."

With this victory, Argentina becomes the fourth team to guarantee its place in the Round of 32, joining Mexico, the USA, and Germany. The 2022 World Cup champions will conclude their group stage campaign against Jordan.