Messi Fires Argentina Into Round of 32 With Record 18th World Cup Goal
Updated
Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 22
Messi Fires Argentina Into Round of 32 With Record 18th World Cup Goal
3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jun 22
Summary
Two Messi goals sealed a 2-0 win over Austria, sending defending champion Argentina into the Round of 32 with a second straight Group J victory.
Messi pushed his men's World Cup tally to 18—past Miroslav Klose's 16—by scoring after an early missed penalty and adding another deep in stoppage time.
Austria threatened after halftime, but Emiliano Martínez preserved the lead with a key save from Marcel Sabitzer before Argentina regained control of the decisive moments.
The result leaves Lionel Scaloni's side well placed to top Group J as it pursues a successful defense of the 2022 World Cup title.