Miroslav Klose has been replaced: Lionel Messi is the sole World Cup record goalscorer after a brace against Austria

With his goals number 17 and 18 at the World Cup, the offensive star overtook the German former world champion Klose by two goals. “For me, Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time! Congratulations, champion!” said Klose in a quick reaction.

Messi could have set the record earlier in front of 70,649 spectators in the Dallas Stadium, but in the 9th minute he missed a penalty kick – and by his standards it was almost amateurish. The ball went about half a meter past the post.

According to data provider Opta, Messi is now the player with the most penalty attempts (7) and awarded penalties (3) in World Cup history – excluding penalties.

Messi celebrated his record goal almost 30 minutes later with his teammates at the corner flag. He scored a hat trick at the start of the World Cup against Algeria. Personally, the superstar is currently not going through an easy time. His father Jorge has major health problems; the 68-year-old was even mistakenly declared dead in a broadcast on the Argentine streaming service Luzu TV.

Argentina will face Jordan again in the Dallas Stadium at the end of the group next Sunday (4 a.m. CEST). At the same time, Austria will play against Algeria in the Kansas City Stadium.

Penalty kick according to video evidence

The game actually started like a picture for Messi: After Xaver Schlager and Stefan Posch grabbed the Argentinian Lautaro Martínez in the penalty area and took him off his feet, the referee pointed to the spot after video evidence. But Messi lost his nerve at what was supposed to be the easiest scoring opportunity.

He then covered his face with his hands and shook his head in disbelief. This doesn’t have to be a bad omen for Argentina: Messi also missed a penalty during the tournament against Poland in the 2022 World Cup triumph.

Alaba prevents two more Messi goals

On Messi’s second chance, David Alaba got in his way. The ex-Bundesliga professional just managed to get the ball off the Argentine’s foot and almost scored an own goal (19′). But Austria’s goalkeeper Alexander Schlager saved. 13 minutes later, Alaba was there again when he blocked a dangerous shot from Messi.

But then nothing and no one could stop Messi: After a beautiful cross from the left wing by Facundo Medina, Messi finished with his left magic foot in his usual goalscoring style.

Austria’s coach Ralf Rangnick had demanded before the game that his team had to show against Messi “that we are one of the best teams at this World Cup”. But the Austrians never really got the superstar under control. They weren’t as successful with their pressing as they had hoped, even though Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer even had the chance to take the lead before Messi’s goal (23′).

After the break, Sabitzer also opened up the outsider’s hoped-for comeback. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was able to parry his free kick with a spectacular flying effort. The Austrians had more possession of the ball in the second half, Argentina were even more on the counterattack. Nicólas Gonzalez narrowly missed making it 2-0 with a header from a Messi corner (73′). In stoppage time, superstar Messi made everything clear.