Messi Becomes All-Time Top Scorer in FIFA World Cup

On Monday, during a FIFA World Cup group stage match, Lionel Messi scored his 18th goal, making him the all-time top scorer in World Cup history. This achievement occurred in Argentina's 2-0 win against Austria at Dalla Stadium in Texas, just two days before Messi's 39th birthday.

Messi's goal came in the latter stages of the first half, following an earlier missed penalty in the ninth minute, where he dragged his effort wide after Lautaro Martinez was fouled by Austrian defenders Xaver Schlager and Stefan Posch. Messi's successful strike was set up by Facundo Medina's pullback, allowing him to score with a low shot in the 38th minute.

This goal marked Messi's fourth in the current tournament and secured Argentina's progress to the knockout phase with a game to spare, eclipsing the previous record of 16 goals held by Germany's Miroslav Klose.