Lionel Messi breaks all-time World Cup scoring record with two goals for Argentina, passing Marta and lifting his team into the knockout round

WASHINGTON, DC — Lionel Messi has become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer after adding two goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria. His record-setting strike came in the first half, and he later scored again in stoppage time to finish the match with 18 career World Cup goals.

The Argentina captain also overtook Brazilian star Marta, who had held the previous high mark with 17 goals at the Women’s World Cup. The result sent Argentina into the knockout round.

Messi reaches 18 World Cup goals after record-breaking strike against Austria

Messi entered Monday’s match needing one more goal to stand alone at the top of the tournament’s scoring list. He reached that milestone in the first half, then extended the record near the end of the game with an additional goal in stoppage time.

Those two scores gave Argentina a clean-sheet win and pushed Messi’s tournament total to 18, the most by any player in World Cup history.

Argentina’s captain has scored all five of his team’s goals in this World Cup

Monday’s performance continued a strong tournament for Messi. He opened Argentina’s World Cup campaign with a hat trick against Algeria, a rare three-goal game that set the tone for the team’s run.

Across the competition so far, Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals. His production has carried the team through the group stage and into the knockout round.

Marta’s previous mark falls as Messi extends a long-running scoring chase

Marta’s 17-goal total at the Women’s World Cup had stood as the benchmark before Messi moved past it. The new record adds another milestone to a career already defined by major international scoring achievements.

Argentina’s latest win gives the team momentum heading into the knockout stage, with Messi now holding a place alone at the top of the World Cup scoring charts.

What Messi’s record means for Argentina’s tournament run

Beyond the individual achievement, the result mattered for Argentina’s standing in the competition. The 2-0 win over Austria secured advancement and came with Messi again delivering both the opening breakthrough and the late insurance goal.

With five total goals in the tournament and a new all-time scoring record, Messi has been central to Argentina’s push forward.

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