Lionel Messi becomes all-time World Cup top scorer with 18th goal vs Austria

Messi sets new World Cup scoring record with two goals vs Austria

Messi now stands alone as the World Cup’s all-time top scorer after his brace vs Austria. He missed an early penalty but finished with 17th and 18th WC goals to put Argentina in the knockouts.

Messi 18, Klose 16, Argentina captain makes history in Austria win. Messi breaks World Cup scoring record with brace as Argentina beat Austria 2-0...

Lionel Messi now stands alone as the World Cup’s top scorer. The 38-year-old broke the record with the opener for Argentina against Austria on Monday night.

He missed an early penalty, but made up for it in classic Messi style, finishing calmly for his 17th World Cup goal. That took him past Miroslav Klose’s mark from 2014. He added a late second for his 18th, rounding off a 2-0 win that sent Argentina through to the knockout rounds.

Messi turns 39 in two days and he’s now scored in 6 straight World Cup games.

The Argentina captain opened his tournament with a hat-trick vs Algeria, which put him level with Klose on 16 goals.

He’s also one assist shy of the all-time World Cup record. He’s currently tied with fellow Argentina legend Diego Maradona on 8 assists.