Lionel Messi continued his remarkable World Cup journey against Austria. Argentina entered the match knowing victory would strengthen their position ahead of the knockout rounds.
The reigning champions also looked to maintain their impressive form after winning their opening game in the competition.
However, the game started with an unexpected setback for their captain. Argentina won a penalty inside the opening ten minutes after Lautaro Martinez went down in the box.
Messi stepped forward with the chance to give his side an early lead and make more World Cup history. Instead, he produced a rare miss.
The 38-year-old sent his effort wide of the post and buried his head in his hands as Austria escaped.
The miss carried extra significance because it created an unwanted record for the Argentina star. It was Messi’s third penalty miss at a World Cup.
The Argentine previously failed from the spot against Iceland at the 2018 tournament before Wojciech Szczesny denied him during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
No player has missed more penalties in World Cup history. Yet the setback did not stop him for long.
Messi had entered the match level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals.
The missed penalty delayed his chance to move clear at the top of the rankings, but only temporarily. The breakthrough arrived before half-time.
Messi swept the ball past Alexander Schlager in the 38th minute to score his 17th World Cup goal and become the outright leading scorer in the tournament’s history.
The Inter Miami star struck again in stoppage time to secure a 2-0 victory for Argentina and extend his record even further.
Messi created an unwanted World Cup record with his penalty miss, but he ended the night with one of the biggest achievements of his career.
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