June 22 (UPI) — Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored twice in opposition to Austrian goalie on Monday to set a file for probably the most targets ever scored by a person or lady on the World Cup with 18.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner discovered the web within the thirty eighth minute and accomplished his brace in stoppage time of the 2-0 Group J victory in Arlington, Texas.
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Together with his first purpose, Messi grew to become the highest scorer within the historical past of the boys’s World Cup, passing ‘s Miroslov Klose. Together with his second purpose, he handed ‘s Marta for the general World Cup targets mark. Marta owns the ladies’s targets file, with 17.
Messi, who tied Klose’s earlier file complete with a hat trick in Argentina’s win Tuesday over , scored 5 instances by means of his first two matches on the 2026 match.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring a purpose in opposition to Austria on the 2026 World Cup on Monday in Arlington, Texas. Photograph by Christian Brunskill/UPI
Messi began the first-blood scoring sequence when he noticed midfielder Thaigo Almada and despatched him a go close to midfield. Almada dribbled about 25 yards forward as Messi jogged up the center of the sphere deeper into Austrian territory.
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Almada slid a go to his left, discovering exterior the field. The Argentinian left again used his first contact to smack a go again proper. Almada allowed the ball to roll by means of his legs, simply as Messi entered the field. Messi completed the play with a left footed blast between Schlager’s gloved proper hand and the close to publish.
Argentina followers maintain footage of Lionel Messi earlier than the beginning of a 2026 World Cup match in opposition to Austria on Monday in Arlington, Texas. Photograph by Christian Brunskill/UPI
He celebrated the rating by pumping his proper fist towards the gang.
Messi struck once more within the 94th minute. He introduced in a go at midfield and blazed up the proper flank. Messi chipped a go forward for ahead , who had an preliminary shot blocked by Schlager.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes penalty kick in opposition to Austria on the 2026 World Cup on Monday in Arlington, Texas. Photograph by Christian Brunskill/UPI
The ball rebounded to midfielder , who discovered Messi inside the center of the field. Messi dribbled in entrance of a crowd of defenders earlier than ripping an preliminary shot, which was blocked. He adopted up the shot with a sliding try, which discovered the proper facet of the web.
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With 18 complete World Cup scores, Messi is 4 targets forward of ‘s on the World Cup’s all-time scoring record.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring a purpose in opposition to Austria on the 2026 World Cup on Monday in Arlington, Texas. Photograph by Christian Brunskill/UPI
Mbappe’s two targets are tied for the fourth-most on the 2026 World Cup. ‘s and Germany’s are tied for second, with three targets apiece.
Mbappe and No. 2 France will face No. 60 Iraq in a Group I match at 5 p.m. EDT Monday in Philadelphia.
, who scored two targets in his first World Cup match, will be part of the No. 7 for an additional Group I match in opposition to No. 17 at 8 p.m. Monday in East Rutherford, N.J.
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No. 68 and No. 29 Algeria, who share Group J, will face off in Monday’s nightcap at 11 p.m. in Santa Clara, Calif.
The highest-ranked Argentinians outshot the Austrians 11-6, with 5 heading in the right direction. They may tackle Jordan of their Group J finale at 10 p.m. Saturday in Arlington.