Lionel Messi is now the outright all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history after netting the opener in Argentina‘s group stage match against Austria on Monday evening.
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The 38-year-old missed an early penalty but recovered in characteristic fashion, slotting home what became his 17th World Cup goal. That strike moved him past Miroslav Klose, who had held the record since 2014. Messi had pulled level with the German after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina‘s opening 3-0 victory over Algeria.
Turning 39 in two days, Messi has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches.
The record-breaking run does not stop at goals. Messi sits one assist away from becoming the leading assist-maker in World Cup history, currently tied on 8 assists with fellow Argentine legend Diego Maradona.
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