On June 16, Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria and equalled the all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, held by Germany's Miroslav Klose since 2014. The world held its breath. On June 22, in Arlington, Texas, Messi exhaled it for everyone.
Argentina versus Austria. Messi with the ball. A low cross from Facundo Medina. A trademark finish into the net. Seventeen goals. The record is his.
The Record Falls
The stadium — and everyone watching around the world — took a moment to absorb what had just happened. Lionel Messi, 38 years old and still playing at a World Cup, had become the greatest goalscorer in the tournament's history. He was not finished. In the final seconds of injury time, after a scramble in the Austrian penalty area and a series of blocked shots, Messi drove in a low strike from six yards. Number eighteen. Argentina won 2-0 and moved smoothly into the knockout rounds. But the scoreline was incidental. This was a match people will talk about for as long as football is played.
"He is not from this planet," one of his Argentina teammates said in the post-match press zone. It is getting harder to argue.
A Night for the Ages
Elsewhere, Erling Haaland provided a different kind of drama. Norway versus Senegal in Philadelphia was a match that swung back and forth before Norway held on for a 3-2 win that sends them into the knockouts. Haaland scored twice — continuing his extraordinary tournament — and Leo Østigård added a third with a header from a corner. Senegal scored twice and had their moments, but in the end Norway's attacking firepower proved the difference. Haaland has now scored four goals in two games. The Golden Boot race is already fascinating.
Haaland Keeps Pace
France brushed aside Iraq 3-0 to finish the group stage with a perfect nine points, while Algeria edged past Jordan 2-1 to secure their place in the next round. Group I and Group J are now decided. The knockout rounds await.