Lionel Messi overcame a missed penalty when he claimed the World Cup goals record with brace for a tally of 18 in a 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday that sent title holders Argentina into the knock-out stages.
Man of the Match Messi, 38, moved two goals ahead of German Miroslav Klose when he drilled home in the 38th minute to complete a well-worked attacking move. He then wrapped up matters in stoppage time.
The record could have already been his early in the match, but he shot a ninth-minute penalty wide right after a stuttering approach.
Messi had tied Klose on 16 goals with a hat-trick in Argentina's first match of the tournament, a 3-0 victory over Algeria last week.
The talisman also scored their fourth and fifth goal goal which makes him tournament top scorer.
Enjoying the moment
"I am very happy to have achieved it all," Messi said. "I am enjoying the moment. Five goals is wonderful. I should have converted the penalty."
"It’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned, but one that gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead. This is the World Cup; it was a very evenly matched, very intense match, and we’re happy to have picked up six points and to have already qualified."
Argentina were the better team overall and are assured of a place in the last 32. They will be confirmed as Group J winners if Jordan don't win the other group game later in the day against Algeria.
Austria still in contention
Austria remain in contention to advance with three points going into their finale against Algeria. Argentina finish against Jordan, with both games on Saturday.
"We wanted to be tough and have our moments. We wanted to create opportunities. We will now recover and then try to beat Algeria," forward Michael Gregoritsch said.
The Messi numbers
Messi is playing at a sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Monday's match was a record extending 28th match on the global stage.
He scored his first goal in his debut match in 2006 against Serbia and the only tournament he didn't find the net was in 2010.
He has now scored 10 goals in six successive World Cup games: all four knock-out matches in 2022 en route to the title, and the first two matches of the current tournament.
"There isn't much to do say – we can all see that he is the best in the world. I am helping the team as much as I can," team-mate Julián Alvarez said.
Dethroned Klose told the Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time for me! Congratulations, champion!"
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo is third all time with 15. Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal last week to take his World Cup tally to 14 and he was playing again later on Monday against Iraq.
Penalty miss before record
Argentina should have taken an early lead when Lautaro Martínez was brought down in a double challenge from Xaver Schlager and Stefan Posch and they were awarded a penalty via a video review.
But with the record beckoning, Messi incredibly shot wide right with Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager als diving into the right corner.
Captain David Alaba made a crucial intervention against Messi in the 19th but Austria grew into the game and Marcel Sabitzer had a potentially dangerous shot blocked.
Argentina remained the livelier team and the record finally came in the 38th when a sharp cross from the left by Facundo Medina was let through into Messi's path by Thiago Almada.
Messi emphatically drilled into the bottom left corner and was mobbed by his team for the opening goal and the goals record.
Cagey second half before Messi seals it
The game remained hard-fought after the break but chances were sparse.
Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez saved well from a Sabitzer free-kick, Nicolás González' glancing header off Messi's corner kick went wide and so did a late one from Austrian Patrick Wimmer.
But it was all over on an Argentina counter-attack. Julian Alvarez was blocked, so was Messi on the rebound but he got the ball back and slotted home for 2-0 into the far corner.
There was even a chance for another Messi hat-trick but a last-gasp free-kick went inches left.
