Skipper Lionel Messi scored twice against Austria Monday evening to give Argentina the three points and a ticket to the Round of 32 knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi finished off a team move from the edge of the box, the goal making him the historic leading scorer in World Cups with 17, going past Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

The 38-year-old then added a second late in the stoppage time of the second half, taking his goals in this year’s tournament to five.

Earlier in the game, Messi missed a penalty after he put his effort wide, but he made amends to guide Argentina to a sixth successive knockout qualification.

It would be recalled that Argentina won its opening game 3-0 against Algeria, thanks to a Messi hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Austria, that featured two Nigerian-born stars David Alaba and Chukwuemeka, failed to score in the explosive encounter.