Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer after scoring twice in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. The 38-year-old broke Germany's Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals, set in 2014, with his 17th World Cup strike just before half-time. He added a second in the final moments of the match to take his tally to 18.
Speaking after the game, an exhausted Messi described the achievement as 'special'. He had earlier missed a penalty and admitted his matchwinning contributions helped wash away the taste of that aberration. 'It feels special, but like I've always said it does. I enjoy playing, having a good time on the pitch. I wasn't necessarily having one on the penalty, but with luck we were able to work through that situation,' he said.
Argentina's place in the last 32 is now guaranteed after consecutive wins in Group J. Messi said the team knew the game would be intense but were happy to secure six points. 'It's important to us also to get the six points to have a little bit of a calmer week,' he added.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni admitted he was lost for words to describe Messi. 'I have no words to talk about Leo, it makes us all a bit tired. I'm so happy with his performance. He scored again. When Leo becomes active everyone activates,' Scaloni said. Julián Alvarez, who set up Messi's second goal, added: 'At his age, he continues to show his talent and all his magic. There isn't much to say. We all see it, he's the best in the world.'
Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick also praised Messi but felt a foul had been missed in the build-up to the first goal. 'We know Messi is on a level of his own and he showed today that he is the greatest,' Rangnick said. 'In my opinion there was a foul, but the VAR was not brave enough to tell the referee.'
