Lionel Messi continues to rewrite football history.
Against Austria in Argentina’s second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the legendary forward added more records to an already unbelievable career. While some fans will remember the game for his missed penalty, others will remember it as another historic night for the GOAT.
Here are six FIFA World Cup records Messi either broke or extended against Austria.
1. Most FIFA World Cup Goals by a Football (Soccer) Player
Messi now has the most FIFA World Cup goals by a football (soccer) player with 18 goals.
2. Most FIFA World Cup Matches Played by an Individual
Messi holds the record for the most FIFA World Cup matches played by a player, having now featured in 28 matches.
3. Most FIFA World Cup Matches Won by a Player
Lionel Messi has also set the record for the most FIFA World Cup matches won by an individual player with 18 victories.
4. Most Minutes Played in FIFA World Cup History
Messi holds the record for the most minutes played in FIFA World Cup history with 2,489 minutes.
5. Most Penalty Misses in FIFA World Cup History
The fifth record? Lionel Messi, after missing a penalty against Austria, became the player with the most penalty misses in World Cup history.
Messi has now missed 3 penalties from 7 attempts at the FIFA World Cup.
6. First Player to Miss a Penalty in Three Consecutive World Cups
He also broke the record for becoming the first player to miss a penalty in three consecutive FIFA World Cups.
Na why we dey call am GOAT (Greatest of All Time)!
Why Is Messi’s Brace Against Austria Historic?
Leo Messi started the game at Dallas Stadium looking cold and uninterested, or would I say uninspiring.
Just four minutes into the game, a chance came for Leo to convert from the penalty spot and rewrite history, but he refused!
Yes, he refused!
What happened?
Lautaro Martinez was put through on goal from a defence-splitting pass by Enzo Fernandez.
The Inter Milan striker positioned himself to hit home but was hacked down by Austria defenders Xaver Schlager and Stefan Posch in a desperate attempt to snuff out the chance.
Penalty!
Egyptian referee Amin Omar pointed to the spot after several minutes of VAR review.
Wahala! Fear wear Ronaldo fans pant for face LOL!
Messi picked up the ball, set to become the player with the most World Cup goals in history, but fluffed his chance woefully wide.
Nah, can’t break this record with a penalty kick! Messi would’ve said to himself.
From Missed Penalty to World Cup History
Argentina finally got the breakthrough 38 minutes later through their history-making superstar.
Messi picked up a loose ball and spread play to Thiago Almada.
The Atletico Madrid midfielder slid the ball left to Facundo Medina, who cut it back for Lionel Messi on the edge of the box.
The Argentine captain made no mistake, beating the goalkeeper with a fine strike into the bottom-left corner to score his 17th World Cup goal and move one ahead of Miroslav Klose.
Messi Wasn’t Done Yet
We all thought it was done and dusted!
Record set.
Goal scored.
Another historic night for the GOAT.
But nah…
Another goal!
Messi again in the 95th minute to extend his record.
A brace!
Five goals for Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after just two matches and guess what?
All five goals were scored by Lionel Messi!
The move started with the genius himself and ended with him.
Messi sprayed the ball out left to Julian Alvarez, whose initial shot bounced off the Austrian goalkeeper.
Messi picked up the rebound, saw his first effort blocked by a defender, but smashed the follow-up into the centre of the goal.
Make that 18 World Cup goals.
Make that 2-0 to Argentina.
Make that game over.
Rival fans’ faces went blurry!
They couldn’t believe what hit them.
From missing a penalty to scoring a brace.
All in one night!
Six World Cup records.
Just another day in the office for the GOAT.
“Messi has five goals in two games. I have zero goals in two World Cups.”
— Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Lionel Messi via FOX Sports.
