Lionel Messi has become the outright record goalscorer in World Cup history, surpassing German legend Miroslav Klose's mark of 16 goals — though the landmark moment arrived not from the penalty spot but from a trademark left-footed finish.

Messi had already drawn level with Klose just 76 minutes into World Cup 2026 by scoring a hat-trick against Algeria. When Argentina were awarded an early penalty via a VAR review in their match against Austria in Dallas, goal number 17 seemed inevitable.

A missed penalty, then a classic finish

Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager had little to do with the outcome. Messi aimed for the bottom-left corner but sent the ball wide of the target, leaving the record in limbo — at least temporarily.

The Argentina captain did not have to wait long. In the 38th minute, Messi drove Argentina ahead with a first-time left-footed strike after arriving at the edge of the box to meet a cut-back. It was quintessential Messi — and arguably the most fitting way imaginable to seize the record.

Messi's penalty record in context

The miss against Austria was the third time Messi had failed to convert from the spot at a World Cup, from seven career World Cup penalties. Across all competitions for club and country, he has scored 116 penalties and missed 32, a success rate of approximately 78 percent.

That figure is respectable by most standards, yet Messi himself has long acknowledged it as an area for improvement.