World Cup 2026: Argentina makes it to the round of 16 after beating Austria 2-0 with a record double from Messi

Argentina, the defending world champion, qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup by beating Austria 2-0 on Monday in Arlington, Texas, thanks to a record double from Lionel Messi.

The Argentine captain, who had already scored a hat-trick against Algeria (3-0), is now the sole top scorer in World Cup history, with 18 goals, two ahead of German Miroslav Klose.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who turns 39 on Wednesday, first missed a penalty, which went wide (9th minute), before opening the scoring with a left-footed finish in the 38th minute. He doubled the lead in stoppage time (90+5).