06/22/26 04:00:00
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06/22 15:58 CDT Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion
Argentina advances to knockout stage
Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to
knockout stage
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) --- Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his 17th and
18th goals, and defending champion Argentina advanced to the knockout stage
with a 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday.
Messi had a golden opportunity to break the record in the ninth minute, but
went wide to the right on a penalty kick. Almost 30 minutes later, Messi caught
Alexander Schlager leaning the wrong way after Thiago Almada let Facuno
Medina's pass go by him directly onto Messi's left foot.
"There were moments when I was really angry about missing the penalty, but I
was able to make up for it," Messi said.
In the waning seconds of injury time, Messi extended his record by sending a
shot through several defenders after Schlager turned away his first attempt. He
entered the game even with Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 goals
over four World Cups from 2002-14.
"Beyond anything I'm so happy for the win," Messi said. "It was huge, tough and
difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what's ahead. All matches in this
World Cup are very even, very intense. I'm enjoying this moment and craving to
enjoy with my teammates."
Two days before his 39th birthday and with an ailing father back home, Messi
celebrated twice with teammates to the delight of the decidedly pro-Argentine
crowd at the sold-out home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Most of those fans were wearing Messi's familiar No. 10 jersey with white and
blue stripes, dwarfing the small pockets of red-clad Austrian supporters under
the retractable roof that offered air-conditioned comfort on the second day of
what is sure to be another hot Texas summer.
The scoring record came 40 years to the day since the late Diego Maradona's
"goal of the century" --- another No. 10 who made a solo run from the other
side of midfield to give Argentina a two-goal lead in a 2-1 victory over
England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals in Mexico City. Argentina went on
to win the title.
Messi joined Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to score in six
straight World Cup games, and he's second among men all-time with 122
international goals to Cristiano Ronaldo's 143.
Argentina extended its winning streak in the tournament to eight since a
shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in its 2022 opener in Qatar.
Messi has scored all five of Argentina goals in the tournament and has 12 World
Cup goals since turning 35. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as soccer's best
player in Europe had his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over
Algeria in its Group J opener last week in Kansas City.
Trailing by a goal early in second-half injury time, Austria winger Patrick
Wimmer went just wide on a header after Kevin Danso had sent a header his
direction off a free kick.
"I think that we were in possession of the ball more than other people
expected," Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to
nullify every counter attack."
Austria, which opened with a 3-1 victory over Jordan, can advance with a win
over Algeria on Saturday in Kansas City.
Argentina returns to AT&T Stadium to face Jordan in a group finale Saturday
night.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
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