Argentina Defeats Austria 2-0 as Lionel Messi Breaks World Cup Goals Record

Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history during Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria, while Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez faced scrutiny for their scoring struggles.

In a competitive match held in Dallas, Argentina secured a 2-0 victory against Austria, marking a significant moment for Lionel Messi as he became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer. The game was marked by intensity, and Messi's achievement came despite a missed penalty early in the match.

Argentina was awarded a penalty just eight minutes into the game after Lautaro Martinez was fouled by Stefan Posch. However, Messi's attempt from the spot was unsuccessful as he shot wide. Despite this early setback, Messi eventually scored his 17th World Cup goal in the 38th minute, finishing a low cross from Facundo Medina following a clever dummy by Thiago Almada.

Austria applied pressure on Argentina in the second half, but they struggled to convert their chances into goals. Messi, demonstrating his prowess, effectively sealed the victory in the dying moments of the match. After assisting Julian Alvarez, Messi capitalized on a rebound in the penalty area to score, bringing his tally to 10 goals in his last six World Cup matches across two tournaments.

Following the match, GOAL provided ratings for all of Argentina's players involved in the game against Austria, highlighting their performances as Lionel Scaloni's team moved three points clear at the top of their group.

The Argentine goalkeeper made a notable save from a free-kick by Marcel Sabitzer but faced little trouble throughout the match.

On the right flank, the Argentine defender was a reliable outlet, contributing defensively, which was likely appreciated by Scaloni.

The player from Tottenham had a solid defensive outing until he was forced off due to a knock sustained early in the second half.

The Manchester United defender performed admirably, helping Argentina manage the threats posed by Austrian forwards like Michael Gregoritsch.

The left-back delivered a commendable performance, effectively defending and providing the assist for the winning goal. He was substituted late in the match after receiving a booking.

Messi's designated protector on the right side of the pitch put in a strong effort, covering for Messi throughout the game.

Playing at the base of the midfield, Mac Allister excelled in shielding the defense and transitioning the ball forward, despite a couple of reckless challenges.

The Chelsea midfielder was granted more attacking freedom than his teammates and played a pivotal role in winning the penalty. However, he failed to capitalize on a few good attacking opportunities later in the game, though his work rate was commendable.

Messi's penalty miss was followed by a powerful performance, where he not only scored but also added a second goal in the final moments, showcasing his enduring talent at nearly 39 years old.

Martinez displayed energy and aggression, winning the penalty with a well-timed run but struggled to find clear goal-scoring opportunities, raising concerns for Scaloni regarding the team's reliance on Messi, especially considering Alvarez's fitness.

Almada's intelligent dummy for Messi's goal was a highlight, demonstrating his work ethic and commitment to the team's efforts before he was substituted.

The veteran defender stepped in for the injured Romero and performed reliably, contributing to the team's defensive stability.

Despite dealing with an ankle injury, Alvarez took over the striker position midway through the second half but missed a chance to extend the lead, underlining the necessity for him to regain form to alleviate some of the scoring pressure on Messi.

Another player was brought in during a double substitution and came close to scoring with a header from a Messi corner.

A substitute for the closing stages, this player received a booking for a poor challenge shortly after entering the match.

Overall, while the display from Scaloni's side was not their most impressive, they were bolstered by Messi's exceptional performance. A point of concern remains the team's heavy reliance on their veteran captain, who may need rest in upcoming matches to assess the scoring capabilities of other players.