Day 12 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off with high drama as Argentina faced Austria in a critical Group J clash. In the fifth minute, Lautaro Martínez was fouled in the box by Xaver Schlager. After a VAR review, Argentina was awarded a penalty, giving Lionel Messi a chance to claim the record for the most goals in World Cup history. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Messi missed the opportunity, sending a casual side-footed shot wide of the right post and temporarily stalling his historic milestone.
It didn't take long for Messi to regain control of the match, leading to an eruption of excitement among football fans on social media, particularly on X, where many mockingly compared him to his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. User @ErNyoni ridiculed the Portuguese forward, posting, “Ronaldo must be seething wherever he is hiding. Messi 5 Ronaldo 0.”
The playful banter intensified when @kingyoungwizzy highlighted a striking statistical contrast, writing, “Did you know Lionel Messi has more Man of the Match awards in the World Cup 2026 (2) than Cristiano Ronaldo has shots on target in the current World Cup (0)?”
For many spectators, this tournament is solidifying the debate over the hierarchy of football greatness, with @PMukundhan8 declaring, “Argentina is going back to back, and Messi is ending the greatest footballer debate. It’s going to be tough for Ronaldo fans.”
Messi ultimately validated the hype by scoring twice, first in the 35th minute and then deep into stoppage time at 90+5′, to propel Argentina to a convincing 2-0 victory, officially securing their spot in the knockout stage.
Controlling 54% of possession, La Albiceleste stifled Austria's attack. With his first-half goal, the legendary captain surpassed Germany's Miroslav Klose to become the highest-scoring player in World Cup history, with 18 career goals. After already netting a hat trick in the opening match against Algeria, Messi has accounted for all five of Argentina's goals in 2026, keeping their title defense alive.
