Move aside Miroslav Klose, a new name sits atop the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring list.
Argentina legend Lionel Messi found the back of the net for the 17th time on Monday against Austria, breaking a tie with Klose for the record and etching his name into history once more.
He had a chance to net the goal on a penalty shot in the ninth minute, but sent his shot to the right of the post. He made up for it in the 38th, firing a left-footed shot past Alexander Schlager to plant his flag.
The goal came two days before Messi’s 39th birthday, and amid the concern of an ailing father back at home. It was the sixth consecutive World Cup game in which Messi scored a goal.
Messi set himself up to break the record in his nation’s second game at the tournament after netting a hat trick in the opener against Algeria last week.
Playing in his sixth World Cup — a joint record with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo — Messi set the record mark in his 28th game at the tourney. He also holds the record for appearances.
— With files from the Associated Press