Lionel Messi Breaks All-Time FIFA World Cup Scoring Record with 18th Goal

The world watched on Monday, June 22, 2026, as Lionel Messi etched his name into the annals of football history. In a 2‑0 group‑stage triumph over Austria at Dallas Stadium, the Argentine forward netted his 18th World Cup goal, shattering Miroslav Klose’s 16‑goal mark and eclipsing Brazilian legend Marta’s 17‑goal record.

Messi’s record‑setting performance unfolded after an early penalty miss that left the crowd stunned. The Argentine, 38, had the chance to tie Klose’s tally but struck wide. Undeterred, he found space inside the box in the 38th minute and calmly buried a left‑footed finish for his 17th World Cup goal. In stoppage time, he danced past defenders, slipped past the goalkeeper, and converted his own rebound for a second goal, giving Argentina a 2‑0 victory and boosting his tally to five goals in the 2026 tournament.

The 18th goal not only surpassed Klose’s 16 but also broke Marta’s record for the most goals scored by any player, male or female, in World Cup history. Messi’s achievement added to his growing list of tournament records: he now holds the most World Cup matches played (28) and the most minutes played (2,489).

After the match, Messi told Fox Sports in Spanish, “I am tired now, I’m not thinking about that. I just want to enjoy the win with my teammates.” He also admitted the penalty miss had bothered him, noting that it might have cost Argentina additional goals.

Former Barcelona teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović offered a candid view: “There are moments where he looks human… and then there are moments where he doesn’t look human. This is his World Cup.”

Klose, who now coaches 1. FC Nürnberg, congratulated the Argentine in an interview with the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung: “For me, Lionel Messi is the best of all time. Congratulations, champ!”

Argentina entered the 2026 World Cup as the defending champions, having won the tournament in 2022. The 2026 edition is the first to feature 48 teams and is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The expansion has increased the number of matches each team can play, giving players like Messi more opportunities to set records.

The match was part of Group J, where Argentina faced Austria. The 2‑0 result secured Argentina’s place in the round of 32. Fans around the world celebrated Messi’s record in fan zones, sports bars, and online, with social‑media posts from cities ranging from Miami to Buenos Aires.

Messi’s record‑breaking goal is a milestone in World Cup history and underscores his status as one of the sport’s greatest players. The record will stand until another player surpasses 18 goals in future tournaments.

The 2026 World Cup will continue through July 19, with 48 teams competing in a tournament that has already seen historic moments and record‑setting performances.