Argentina star Lionel Messi has broken Miroslav Klose's all-time scoring record at a World Cup after his two goals against Austria.
The forward - competing at his record-equalling sixth World Cup - had matched the 16-goal record set by the Germany international with his hat-trick in the opening game against Algeria.
He then followed this up with two goals against Austria - breaking the record and taking him two clear at the top of the standings.
Messi's first goal was a wonderful left-footed finish to put his team ahead in Arlington in the 39th minute.
His second goal came in second-half injury time when Argentina caught Austria on the counter, with the 38-year-old sending through Julian Alvarez, who saw his shot blocked, before Messi put the rebound in.
The brace takes Messi, the Argentine captain, to five goals in the 2026 World Cup.
There were great celebrations at full-time, but the Inter Miami's forward had a terrible start to the game, missing a penalty inside 10 minutes, skewing his attempt wide of the right-hand post. He then missed a few other chances before finally finding the net.
Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, have secured their place in the round of 32 with victory over Austria, with Messi having at least one more guaranteed game to extend his lead. They face Jordan next on Sunday June 28 in the final Group J game.
And Klose - who scored his last World Cup goal in 2014 against Brazil in that famous 7-1 semi-final win - could find himself bumped further down the table by another player at the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappe has 16 World Cup goals, going level with Klose's former record.
Your Site' Adam Bate:
Four of Messi's 18 World Cup goals have been penalties but maybe it was more appropriate that the record-breaking effort came as it did. A late run into the box picked out by a smart pull-back and dispatching low into the near corner. Vintage Messi.
He is a different player now. But no less remarkable. In fact, shorn of pace and about to turn 39, it is even more improbable that he is able to do what he does. He has become the first man in over half a century to score in six consecutive World Cup matches.
Much is made of how this team is built to serve him. But the tactic is working. The policy is proving less successful for Portugal, while perhaps Spain could look to Lamine Yamal more than they are doing. Argentina have found the sweet spot.
This was not even Messi's best performance of this World Cup but he could still have scored five. And this was a test. A rare appearance for him of late against European opposition - with Ralf Rangnick's Austria playing a physical, pressing game as well.
It was awkward for Messi and Argentina at times. The space that he had been afforded against Algeria was absent. Sometimes there were five Austria players around him as soon as he received the ball. But that meant there was space elsewhere. He found it.
A first-time pass here, a wriggle free there. It opened the pitch for the penalty won and missed, and the first goal that he scored. Test passed by Argentina. History made by Messi. Eighteen goals now but how many more still to come before the curtain comes down?
A place in the knockout stage has already been booked, although it would be a shock if Messi is not given the chance to add to his total against Jordan. What do you get the man who has everything? Maybe the Golden Boot? The Messi show just goes on and on.
South American football expert Tim Vickery on Your Site News:
"How good is he? My god he's good.
"It hit me before the World Cup when Argentina played Iceland in a friendly. He came on for the last 20 minutes and with his first touch, he set up a chance. With his second touch he scored from the penalty spot.
"I just thought, we are going to have to adjust to a world without him very, very soon. I don't want to; I want to keep living in a Lionel Messi world.
"I saw him at the start of 2005. He's only played one friendly for Barcelona and he was in action for Argentina in the South America U20 championship. He was only 17, half as high as everyone else. To look at him, you wouldn't have given him anything, but the minute he got on the ball we all knew we were in the presence of something very special.
"As Diego Maradona said about him, he can dribble while watching TV and change the channels. It wasn't just that the ball was tied to his left foot, even at that age he knew which space to attack. He knew where to go and he understood the context in which football is played.
"I thought I'd struck gold seeing him but I never imagined 21 and a half years later he would still be part of all our lives. Let's enjoy it while it lasts.
"Is Messi the GOAT? We are all living in a World Cup house which Pele built, so we need to pay tribute to that, but Messi has done it for longer.
"If I had to choose one player to play for my life, it would still be Pele. But no one in Brazil can now say this conversation is stupid and cannot take place.
"Messi has put himself right in the conversation."
