Lionel Messi breaks World Cup all-time goalscoring record with signature strike against Austria – after Argentina captain had earlier sent a penalty wide

Lionel Messi became the all-time top goalscorer at the World Cup after producing a fine curled finish to give Argentina the lead against Austria.

Messi had entered the match level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 goals, following his hat-trick in Argentina’s tournament opener against Algeria.

The 38-year-old had missed an early chance to break the outright record after sending a penalty wide of the target after nine minutes.

Messi would not require long to achieve the landmark, as the Argentina captain finished off a flowing move from the holders.

Messi swept home with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area after Thiago Almada had intelligently dummied Facundo Medina’s cross.

‘It’s a brilliant goal, great move, it was just a matter of time,’ BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy said.

‘Lionel Messi keeps getting in those great areas with the free role he has got.

‘For him, that’s an easy finish, the only surprise was that he didn’t score earlier.

‘His football intelligence is off the charts, he just finds space and the timing is great from the best player I’ve ever seen.’

Messi also became just the third player to score in six consecutive World Cup matches after France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho, who did so in 1958 and 1970 respectively.

Messi’s tally of 17 goals has been achieved in 28 matches at the World Cup.

The new landmark is expected to come under immediate pressure from France’s Kylian Mbappe.

The French star is just three goals behind Messi’s tally having scored 14 goals in 15 matches to date at the World Cup.