Magical Messi breaks World Cup record with brace as Argentina ease past Austria

Messi's shoulders bear the weight of Argentina's hopes and having scored all five of his team's goals this World Cup, he carries it gladly.

The 38-year-old broke German star Miroslav Klose's longstanding record with the first goal, moving to 17 World Cup goals, and then added another in stoppage time to kick off the post-match celebrations early.  

But Messi is human. Argentina needed just minutes to get a clear-cut opportunity. Lautaro Martinez was scythed from two angles in the box and went down pleading. After plenty of rolling around, referee Amin Omar checked the hefty challenge using VAR and awarded a penalty.

With history beckoning, Messi stepped up. But a nonchalant effort would miss the right hand upright altogther, leaving fans shocked and Messi gazing skyward.

Austria breathed a sigh of relief and went about their work with aplomb. Their narrow attack frustrated Argentina, while snuffing out any counters.

Messi had another chance in the box, but Austria's gloveman Alex Schlager hadn't read the script yet as he denied him with a save low to his left.

But there's only so many times you can deny the little maestro and history finally came in the 38th minute. Facundo Medina pulled the ball back, Thiago Almada added deception with a step over and Messi - on the edge of the box - drove the ball into the bottom left corner.

The second stanza opened with conservative play from Argentina. Off the back of that, Austria finally fired a shot in the 54th minute. Marcel Sabitzer absolutely cracked a free kick from over 30m out, forcing an acrobatic save from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Argentina nearly doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Messi curled a corner into the danger area and a flying Nicolas Gonzalez was a post-width away from executing a perfect glancing header.

Austria pressed at the death, but the football gods were clearly with Messi this night. Argentina were away on the break and Julian Alvarez's shot was initially saved by Schlager. Leandro Paredes picked up the rebound and fed Messi, only to have his shot blocked, but he pounced again to guide the ball past three defenders to put the cherry on his own cake. 

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