Messi scores 17th goal against Austria and becomes the greatest scorer in the history of World Cups
Argentine star Lionel Messi wrote another golden chapter in the sport by finding the net for the seventeenth time in a World Cup, guaranteeing a 1-0 partial victory over Austria in the 38th minute of the opening stage. The accurate finish not only opened the scoring in this decisive clash valid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but also elevated the legendary number 10 to the isolated position of the tournament’s all-time top scorer.
The definitive consecration of the Argentine star in the world tournament
Even at 37 years old, the South American striker continues to redefine the limits of the sport, leaving behind the old record of 16 goals held by German Miroslav Klose to take the absolute lead in goalscoring. Reaching the mark of 17 balls in the net highlights a rare resilience and an unparalleled talent for deciding matches under extreme pressure, undeniably consolidating his position on the shelf of the greatest icons that football has ever produced.
The idol’s journey with the Albiceleste shirt in FIFA’s main competition began in Germany, in 2006, culminating in the unforgettable third title won in Qatar in 2022. Each successful finish over two decades paved the way for this singular moment, proving that his impact within the four lines remains intact and continues to delight fans in the four corners of the globe, regardless of the passage of time.
How the teams behaved in the opening minutes of the clash
The opening whistle revealed a South American squad willing to dictate the pace of the match from the first moments. Names like Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez moved intensely in the offensive sector to break the block, while the Austrian squad bet on a solid defense, waiting for the exact moment to launch quick counterattacks against the Buenos Aires defense, which maintained majority control of ball possession.
The climate of decision took over the pitch right away, transforming the creative sector into a true tactical battlefield. The two teams prioritized short and cautious touches to avoid fatal mistakes, which resulted in a scenario of a lot of perspiration, but with very few real opportunities for danger aimed at the goalkeepers during the first quarter of an hour of the duel.
The intervention of technology and the penalty wasted by the captain
The first major controversy of the match arose just four minutes into the game, when center forward Lautaro Martinez was brought down inside the penalty area by European defenders. The field judge, Amin Omar, initially hesitated and allowed the play to continue, however, after being called by the video referee’s booth and reviewing the images on the monitor, he ended up awarding the maximum penalty at the eight-minute mark.
The responsibility for the penalty fell to the Albiceleste captain, who had an early chance to break the historic record. However, the strong hit ended up being slightly crooked and the ball grazed the right post before leaving the goal line, generating a collective sigh of relief among the Austrian fans and a deep lament in the stands occupied by the South Americans.
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The exact moment history was rewritten on the scoreboard
Far from being discouraged by the failure to score, the team led by Lionel Scaloni continued to hammer the opponent’s defense until finding the way to the goal in the 38th minute. In an engaging offensive plot, full-back Facundo Medina rolled the sweet ball into the half-moon entrance, where Lionel Messi appeared free to correct an undefendable shot into the left corner by archer Alexander Schlager.
The lethal shot not only served to open the scoring in favor of the current world champions, but it was the star’s seventeenth goal in his career in the tournament, destroying any previous record. The explosion of joy took over the bench and teammates, who ran to hug the number 10 on a night that has already been immortalized in the annals of sport.
The European team’s attitude after suffering the blow in the first half
On the other side of the field, the European team did not give up easily and showed the mental strength to face the favorites. Even before seeing their net shake, the Austrians scared the Buenos Aires defense in the 23rd minute with a dangerous volley from Marcel Sabitzer, which ended up intercepted midway, in addition to being constantly in danger from poisonous corner kicks that demanded maximum attention from the defense.
After the historic goal, the team from the Old Continent advanced their lines in an attempt to equalize the score before the break. Players like Konrad Laimer and Romano Schmid began to dictate the pace in midfield, almost always colliding with the firmness of defender Lisandro Martinez, which kept the competition for possession of the ball very even until the final whistle of the first half.
Detailed summary of the events of the initial stage
Although the confrontation still holds many surprises for the complementary stage, the initial moments delivered a huge dose of adrenaline for the spectators. Check out the chronology of the most relevant events that marked the first half of the game below:
- 1 minute: The ball rolls towards the clash, with the two teams fighting fiercely for dominance in the central sector.
- 4 minutes: Striker Lautaro Martinez goes to the ground inside the area after clashing with the marking, generating strong complaints.
- 5 minutes: The main judge, Amin Omar, stops the match to listen to instructions from the VAR booth.
- 8 minutes: After checking the monitor at the edge of the pitch, the referee confirms the infraction and points out the lime mark.
- 9 minutes: The Argentine number 10 takes the penalty, but the ball scrapes the post and goes out, frustrating the fans.
- 11 minutes: Defender Lisandro Martinez arrives harshly at the opponent and concedes a dangerous free kick for the Europeans.
- 23 minutes: Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer takes a great first shot, but the South American defense manages to stop the shot.
- 24 minutes: The referee authorizes a technical stop so that the athletes can hydrate due to the high temperatures.
- 32 minutes: The Buenos Aires star serves Enzo Fernandez, who shoots past Alexander Schlager; on the rebound, the goalkeeper saves again.
- 38 minutes: The historic moment comes to fruition with Lionel Messi’s accurate shot, after Facundo Medina’s pass, decreeing the partial advantage and the new absolute record.
What to expect in the decisive 45 minutes of the match
With the advantage on the scoreboard and the historic milestone already guaranteed by its main star, the South American team must find a different scenario when they return to the dressing room. The need to seek equality will force the Austrian squad to expose themselves more in the attacking field, offering exactly the space that the speedy Argentine wingers love to explore, promising an electrifying final stage full of tactical alternatives.
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