Lionel Messi becomes all-time leading World Cup scorer, surpassing Miroslav Klose after opening goal for Argentina against Austria

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Argentina superstar Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup scorer, surpassing Germany striker Miroslav Klose, with his first-half goal against Austria at the Dallas Stadium, taking his tally to 17.

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Messi missed a first-half penalty in the Group J clash but made amends with the record-setting strike shortly before the break.

The goal, a sweeping finish from the edge of the box, saw the Argentina captain exceed Klose at football's showpiece event, the former forward having scored 16 times in the competition's history.

Klose struck his 16th World Cup goal in the semi-finals of the 2014 tournament as Germany memorably defeated tournament hosts Brazil 7-1 12 years ago.

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The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star had time to bag his 18th in the dying embers to wrap up a 2-0 win as Argentina secured their spot in the knockout stages of the competition.

"Happy for the result, for the qualification. It was important for us to get six points to have a more peaceful week," Messi told reporters after Argentina's passage to the last 32 was secured.

”Obviously, it's always in our plans to win all the matches. We are Argentina and we are always going to look for the matches against any rival, but we know that it's not easy and that you have to prove it on the pitch, and I think today Argentina did that.

"I enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch. Today there were moments where I was very angry about the penalty because I missed and I shot it poorly, and well, luckily we were able to reverse all that situation, we were able to take the advantage and walk away with the three points, which is the most important thing."

Messi scored his first goal in the competition's history at the 2006 World Cup in Germany as he came off the bench to net in the second half against Serbia and Montenegro.

Messi's record achievement comes after Mbappe praised the Inter Miami forward, who on Monday told The Guardian: "Lionel is the best of the four players, it’s clear. He is the best of the best with Cristiano [Ronaldo].

"He’s shown over 15 years he has an amazing quality. For the rest, it’s a debate for journalists and fans.

"It’s good to debate but it’s not an issue in my head. I just try to show what I can do and show my ability on the biggest stage."

'They are ready to die on the pitch for him'

Former France forward Olivier Giroud was full of praise for Messi following Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria.

Giroud, who was his nation's all-time record scorer up until Mbappe's second against Senegal last week, is working as a pundit for the competition, and believes Argentina's current crop "are ready to die on the pitch" for Messi.

"Lionel Messi has got the players around him just looking for him," Giroud said at full-time of Monday's clash.

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"They play for him and that's a huge honour for them. They have so much respect for him, it's such a privilege for them to play with him.

"They are ready to die on the pitch for him and give everything to get another World Cup back-to-back.

"He is more decisive than ever."

The 38-year-old has now scored more goals than any other player in North America this summer as Argentina look to become just the third nation, after Italy and Brazil, to defend the World Cup.

"At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He's incredible," said head coach Lionel Scaloni about Messi.

"It's not about imagining [if he could have a start like this]. He's been doing this for 20 years. People who watch football want to see him, it's not just Argentines. Beyond the result, we have to enjoy him. What he transmits to the world is incredible."

Scaloni is aiming to become just the second manager to win the World Cup on multiple occasions.

Success in Qatar back in 2022 came at France's expense, and meant head coach Didier Deschamps was unable to follow in Vittorio Pozzo's footsteps, the Italian being the first manager to win back-to-back World Cups in 1934 and 1938.

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