Messi Honors Maradona Anniversary With Record-Breaking World Cup Night

Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in a noon World Cup match in Dallas, on the same day that marked 40 years since Diego Maradona’s famous, and infamous, 1986 performance. The atmosphere around the game was built around Maradona’s legacy, with Opus’ “Life Is Life” playing over the stadium loudspeakers, the song from the iconic video of Maradona juggling the ball. The article frames Messi’s run as a story that seems written in advance, with Argentina once again relying on a leader, symbol, and superstar to carry them.

Messi had an early chance to break Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record, but his ninth-minute penalty went wide. Austria goalkeeper Philipp Schlager later denied him again, and David Alaba helped clear another chance. Argentina, however, kept feeding Messi and protected him well, while Emiliano Martinez was steady whenever Austria threatened.

The decisive move came in the 40th minute. Thiago Almada started the attack, passed left to Facundo Medina, then ran into the box. Medina’s delivery found Messi, who scored to make it 1-0 and tie and then surpass Klose’s record. The article notes that Almada did the crucial work even though the goal and assist officially went elsewhere.

Messi then had another chance late on. Leandro Paredes played a high ball to him, Messi controlled it with his thigh, went around the goalkeeper, and after one blocked shot scored again for 2-0. That was his 18th World Cup goal, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, while his celebration, including high-fives with photographers, reflected a rare national-team joy. The piece says he is also moving toward the World Cup assist record, with eight official assists, tied with Maradona on the post-1966 count. Argentina’s next step is not specified, beyond the sense that another title may still be possible.