Arlington: Lionel Messi rewrote the football history books yet again as his brace secured a 2-0 victory for reigning world champions Argentina against Austria, sealing their qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Group J match at the Dallas Stadium began with unexpected drama. The Argentine captain uncharacteristically missed an early opportunity to put his team ahead, dragging a penalty kick wide of the post after just eight minutes. The missed spot-kick marked his third career penalty miss at World Cups, giving Ralf Rangnick's structured Austrian side a temporary reprieve.

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However, the 38-year-old maestro quickly made amends. In the 38th minute, a swift counter-attack engineered by Thiago Almada saw Facundo Medina deliver an accurate cross from the left flank. Messi met the ball with conviction, curling a left-footed strike past Austria’s goalkeeper, Alexander Schlager. The goal carried enormous historic significance, making Messi the outright all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 17 goals, eclipsing Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Additionally, the opening goal meant that Messi became only the third player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive matches, matching the long-standing records of France's Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil's Jairzinho (1970).

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Austria responded with tactical changes in the second half, introducing experienced forward Marko Arnautović and former Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka to revitalise a toothless attack. Despite their aggressive high pressing and a close header from Patrick Wimmer that flew agonisingly wide, the European side struggled to penetrate a resolute Argentine defence marshalled by Emiliano Martínez.

Argentina comfortably circulated possession to neutralise the threat before Messi struck again in stoppage time. In the 95th minute, a breakdown on the left side by substitute Julián Álvarez forced a save from Schlager. The rebound fell into the path of Messi, who calmly navigated a crowded box to smash home his second of the afternoon. The late goal was Messi's fifth of the current tournament, meaning he has scored all of Argentina's goals in the competition so far.

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The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 triumph for Lionel Scaloni’s side, ensuring the holders comfortably booked their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare. Austria must now secure a result in their final group fixture against Algeria to ensure progression.