Lionel Messi has added yet another landmark goal to his extraordinary international career, netting his 18th World Cup strike to put Argentina 2-0 ahead against Austria.

The goal came after Messi had already made history in the same match by becoming the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer — a record that underlines his unmatched influence on the global stage.

With Argentina firmly in control at 2-0, the result signals another commanding performance from a side built around the brilliance of Messi at his peak.