Live: Lionel Messi on cusp of more World Cup history as Argentina faces Austria

ABC News

SportsABC News·Jun 22, 2026·7 min read

Live: Lionel Messi on cusp of more World Cup history as Argentina faces Austria

Lionel Messi has broken the World Cup's all-time goal scoring record with a stunning strike against Austria, but only after the 38-year-old fluffs his lines from the penalty spot.

Later, Graham Arnold's Iraq takes on France in a David vs Goliath clash in Philadelphia.

Erling Haaland and Norway face Senegal in New Jersey, before the day draws to a close in San Francisco, where Algeria will lock horns with Jordan.

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Argentina vs Austria

Goals

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 4:11am

Another record

Two records in one go! Messi equals the great French star Just Fontaine by scoring in six straight World Cup games. Not a bad effort, that!

- Finn

And only 10 more for Messi to get in North America to break Fontaine's record tally of 13 at the 1958 tournament!

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 4:02am

Soaking it all in

By Amanda Shalala

While the Austrians trudge off at half time looking downcast, the Argentines spend a few extra moments out there with high fives and back slaps, and a rousing cheer from the crowd.

There is still a palpable buzz in here, and I know my heart rate still hasn't returned to normal. Was not Argentina's best half of football, and Austria was really solid for most of that half.

But sometimes the weight of the moment is just too irresistible to ignore...

Key Event

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:54am

HT: Argentina 1 - 0 Austria

By Henry Hanson

Realistically, today's game was only going to be about one man.

Lionel Messi finishes the first 45 minutes as the World Cup's greatest ever goalscorer, after a stunning, trademark strike seven minutes out from half-time.

The great man side-footed home from the edge of the penalty area to take his all-time tournament tally to 17.

That came after ridiculous early scenes at Dallas Stadium, which saw Messi skip, stutter and jump on his way to missing a penalty.

For their part, the Austrians have been a worthy opponent for a milestone World Cup moment, and will be bullish on continuing to worry their Argentinian opponents after the break.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:50am

45' We're into seven minutes of added time

By Henry Hanson

Okay, so things are getting a little spicy out there.

Not long ago, Stefan Posch was given a pretty orange yellow for a late challenge.

We're into seven minutes of added time at the end of the first hlaf.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:46am

I'M NOT CRYING

By Amanda Shalala

Ok but maybe I am! That was why we needed that penalty miss, so he could deliver the record breaking goal in spectacular fashion.

The energy and feeling surging through this crowd is unreal. Yes, most have (over)paid thousands of dollars to be in here, but I'm sure they'll all say it's worth it for this moment.

And Messi pumped his fist several times after scoring, and he made sure to watch the replay on the big screen. WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

Key Event

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:40am

MESSI BREAKS THE ALL-TIME GOALSCORING RECORD!

By Henry Hanson

There it is.

There he is.

Lionel Messi becomes the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer.

The great man is found on the edge of the penalty area, and it's a lovely, composed, side-footed effort low and into the net.

It's the kind of goal we have seen him score hundreds and hundreds of times.

But this is a goal he'll only ever score once.

It moves him to 17 World Cup goals, one ahead of Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:39am

Nerves for Messi in Dallas?

By Henry Hanson

Is the great man a little nervous at breaking the record? That was an average penalty, and the other chance should have been buried.

- Finn

The chances, I imagine, will continue to come.

He'll surely bury one sooner or later.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:35am

Austria bringing their A-game

By Amanda Shalala

The Austrians have done well in the early stages here, after that penalty miss, I feel like the momentum has swung a bit in their favour and they're frustrating the Argentines.

Messi has been looking to get more involved, but hasn't had much space to work with so far.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:35am

32' Messi with another chance!

By Henry Hanson

Lautaro Martinez pressures Austrian goalkeeper

Alexander Schlagerhe and the ball bobbles up, falling invitingly to Leo Messi in the penalty area.

The little magician can't, however, find enough power in his shot and it is easily blocked.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:32am

28' And we're back for the second quarter

By Henry Hanson

Austria begins the second stanza of the match with an attractive foray forward.

Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer combine down the left, eventually forcing a corner.

The ball is worked away by the Argentinian defence, Lautaro Martinez producing a bicycle kick to deliver one of the more memorable penalty-box clearances.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:29am

23' And we've reached the hydration break

By Henry Hanson

I think we're all still a little shocked after that early, remarkable Leo Messi penalty miss.

ABC Sport's Tom Wildie, on the ground in North America, certainly can't believe it.

Austria is proving a very worthy opponent, defending strongly and finding itself well in this game.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:22am

19' Messi with another chance!

By Henry Hanson

A trademark, mazy run from Leo Messi and Dallas draws breath once again.

He is remarkable, cutting back and forth in the penalty area and making his way towards to goal.

However, his eventual effort is slightly weak and easily saved.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:15am

Messi miss

By Amanda Shalala

The Messi, Messi chants start before he even steps up to take the penalty, and despite the obvious disappointment afterwards, they actually increase in volume and start singing his name as if to will him to instead conjure something magical from open play instead.

So Messi is human, and history awaits once more...

Key Event

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:11am

9' MESSI PUTS THE PENALTY WIDE!

By Henry Hanson

Lionel Messi, one goal away from breaking the all-time World Cup goal record, places the ball as a hush falls on Dallas Stadium...

It's a hop, skip and a stutter in the run-up, and...

THE PENALTY IS WIDE!

It's a poor, weak penalty from the miracle worker, low and wide of the goalkeeper's left-hand post.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:07am

4' PENALTY FOR ARGENTINA!

By Henry Hanson

It's another slick push forward from Argentina.

Centre-forward Lautaro Martinez ends with the ball at his feet and with space to push into the penalty area.

He goes down under the pressure of two Austrian challenges.

The call on field is no penalty - but there's a delay as Martinez stays down and VAR combs through the footage....

And yep, the referee is eventually asked to go and have a look at the monitor.

It looks like Stefan Posch has taken Martinez down and the penalty is given!

History beckons for Lionel Messi...

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:04am

2' First foray for Argentina

By Henry Hanson

And it's Thiago Almada who is neatly played into the box by Enzo Fernandez.

Almada charges towards the byline and slams the ball into the side-netting.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 3:02am

And we're off in Dallas

By Henry Hanson

The crowd counts down to zero, and Argentina kicks us off, wearing their trademark blue and white stripes and kicking from left to right.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 2:59am

The players enter the arena

By Henry Hanson

As Amanda has confirmed from on the ground, Dallas Stadium is pretty as a picture, filled with blue and white and Messi jerseys.

The national anthems are sung, and we are not far off from the start of a potentially history-making afternoon in Texas.

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 2:58am

La Albiceleste fans here in force

By Amanda Shalala

It's about 95 per cent sky blue and white in here, but the small contingent of Austrian fans are making plenty of noise and getting pumped for the build up!

Everyone in here knows what a rare privilege it is to see the defending champions in action, and yes, of course the one and only Messi.

And oh boy what a roar, and what a moment to be part of as he leads his side onto the pitch. GOOSEBUMPS!!

Tue 23 Jun 2026 at 2:54am

Messi's hat-trick

By Henry Hanson

In case you, somehow, missed it, Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat-trick against Algeria, featuring two beauties and one deft tap in.

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