Lionel Messi has officially broken the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record, netting his 17th and 18th tournament goals in a 2-0 win over Austria. Photo: AFP
Lionel Messi became the leading scorer in Fifa World Cup history as the captain struck twice to give Argentina a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday and send the defending champions into the last 32.
The player widely regarded as the greatest of all time pounced late in the first half in Texas with a trademark left-footed finish after neat build-up play. The predatory goal added to his hat-trick in Argentina's opening match to make it 17 in total at the World Cup.
The 38-year-old then sealed the match deep in injury time after a scramble in the box, as he outfoxed four defenders who lined up to keep the ball out.
It should have been even better for Messi, who missed a penalty early on, stunning a fiercely pro-Argentina 70 649 crowd at the air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.
