Lionel Messi scored twice, including a record-breaking 17th World Cup goal, to become the all-time leading goal-scorer in the tournament history as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 on Monday.
Argentina controlled the match from start to finish, with Messi providing the decisive moments despite missing a penalty early in the first half.
After squandering a spot-kick in the eighth minute, the Argentine captain finally found the breakthrough in the 38th minute with a powerful finish from close range after receiving a cutback from Almada.
Austria tested Argentina’s defence sporadically but rarely troubled goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Messi nearly added a second before half-time, but Argentina went into the interval with their one-goal advantage intact.
The second half saw Austria press harder, bringing on fresh attacking options in search of an equaliser, but Argentina’s defensive organisation remained resolute.
In stoppage time, Messi sealed the victory with a clinical finish on a counter-attack, firing past goalkeeper Schlager to record his 17th World Cup goal.
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The victory secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stage with a game to spare in Group J, following their opening win over Algeria, as Lionel Scaloni’s side maintained a perfect start to their title defence.
Messi, who turns 39 later this week, equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time mark of 16 World Cup goals when hitting a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria to open his country’s title defence in North America last week.
The Inter Miami superstar is playing at his sixth World Cup, his first coming in 2006 and he now has 122 goals in 201 games for his country.
After former Germany forward Klose, next on the all-time list is Brazilian great Ronaldo, with 15 goals, one ahead of Gerd Muller and current France star Kylian Mbappe.
