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KUALA LUMPUR, June, 2026 — Lionel Messi made more World Cup history as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match, securing qualification to the knockout round with one game still remaining.
Messi scored both goals for Argentina, finding the net in the 38th minute and again in stoppage time to seal the win for the defending world champions. His brace came after he had earlier missed a penalty, showing his ability to recover under pressure and still decide the match.
The victory moved Argentina to six points in Group J, keeping Lionel Scaloni’s side perfect after two matches. Reuters reported that Argentina now lead the group and will face Jordan in their final group match, while Austria remain on three points and will meet Algeria next.
Messi’s performance was the main storyline of the night. With his two goals, the Argentina captain reached 18 World Cup goals, moving past Germany legend Miroslav Klose and Brazil icon Marta to become the all-time leading scorer across World Cup history.
His first goal came in the 38th minute after a smooth Argentina move involving Thiago Almada, who helped create the chance before Messi finished with his trademark precision. Reuters reported that Messi later added his second goal in the 95th minute, with Julian Alvarez involved in the buildup.
The match was also meaningful because it came on a date strongly connected to Argentina’s football history. Reuters reported that June 22 marked 40 years since Diego Maradona’s legendary 1986 World Cup performance against England, when he scored both the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century.”
Messi’s latest milestone added another historic layer to Argentina’s World Cup legacy. The 38-year-old captain, who turns 39 this week, continues to play a decisive role for the national team despite already leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title.
Al Jazeera reported that Messi’s brace helped Argentina reach the knockout rounds, while FIFA also described the match as another historic night for the Argentine star after he bounced back from an early penalty miss.
Austria tried to compete and had moments of pressure, but they could not break Argentina’s defensive structure. Reuters reported that Austria’s best chance came from Michael Gregoritsch, who missed a header that could have changed the game.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick acknowledged Messi’s greatness after the match but questioned whether Argentina’s opening goal should have stood, saying there may have been a foul in the buildup.
Despite Austria’s frustration, Argentina controlled the decisive moments. Messi’s first goal gave the world champions a platform, while his late second goal ended Austria’s hopes of rescuing the match.
The result also strengthened Messi’s position in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race. Reuters reported that Messi has now scored five goals in this tournament, continuing his strong scoring form after Argentina’s opening win over Algeria.
For Argentina, the win was not only about qualification. It also showed that the defending champions remain one of the strongest contenders in the tournament, combining defensive discipline, midfield creativity and Messi’s finishing ability.
For Austria, the defeat was a setback but not the end of their campaign. With three points after two matches, Austria still have a chance to progress depending on their final group match against Algeria.
Argentina’s final group match against Jordan will now give Scaloni an opportunity to manage his squad before the knockout stage. However, with Messi still chasing records and Argentina aiming to maintain momentum, the defending champions may still push for another strong performance.
The match also reminded fans why Messi remains one of football’s most influential figures. Even after missing a penalty, he stayed central to Argentina’s attack and delivered the goals that decided the game.
Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria was a major World Cup moment. Messi broke another historic record, Argentina reached the knockout round, and the defending champions continued their pursuit of back-to-back world titles.
The development is suitable for Update News because it involves a current FIFA World Cup 2026 result, Argentina’s qualification to the knockout stage, Messi’s record-breaking brace and the latest Group J standings.
