Lionel Messi made history by scoring his 17th goal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 during Argentina’s match against Austria at Dallas Stadium. This goal not only set a new individual record in the tournament’s history but also marked Messi’s fourth goal in the 2026 edition.
Just two days shy of his 39th birthday, Messi not only surpassed the tournament’s scoring record but also became the third player, alongside Just Fontaine of France and Jairzinho of Brazil, to score in six consecutive World Cup games. With this goal, Messi exceeded Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals, now leading with 17 goals, followed by Klose at 16 and Ronaldo (Brazil) at 15.
In a challenging match against Austria, reigning champions Argentina faced tough opposition, with Messi leading a remarkable comeback with a brilliant goal. After receiving a pass from Thiago Almada, Messi executed a powerful shot to beat Austria’s Alexander Schlager, showcasing his exceptional skill. Despite missing an earlier penalty, Messi’s goal put Argentina ahead 1-0 at halftime.
Argentina, under Messi’s leadership, displayed an offensive style of play, initially dominating but facing setbacks, including Messi’s missed penalty. Austria capitalized on this, taking control of the game briefly, but their efforts did not result in a goal. However, Messi’s midfield play later led to a crucial goal, securing Argentina’s lead and setting the record for most individual goals in the World Cup.
