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.
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.
Austria tried to fight back but 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 remain in contention to advance with three points going into their finale against Algeria. Argentina finish against Jordan, with both games on Saturday.
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 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.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo is third all time with 15. Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in France's 3-1 win over Senegal to take his World Cup tally to 14 and he was playing again later on Monday against Iraq.
