Messi stands alone atop World Cup goal scorers after this beauty against Austria

Entering Monday’s match against Austria, Lionel Messi was tied with Miroslav Klose atop the list of all-time goal scorers at the World Cup with 16 goals.

That he moved into the top spot during the match was not a surprise, but how he got there might be.

After a penalty was awarded to Argentina in the seventh minute of the match, for a challenge on Lautaro Martinez in the box, Messi stepped to the spot with history on the line.

Everyone watching in Dallas, and around the world, expected a goal to follow given the situation.

But the living legend pulled his attempt wide:

Messi may have missed that chance early in the match, but it was not going to be his only scoring opportunity against Austria. In the 32nd minute another opportunity came his way, off a rebound, but a block from David Alaba denied Messi that history-making goal:

A few minutes later Messi got another chance.

And he made this one count:

It was an exceptional bit of play from Argentina, as Thiago Almada’s run put the Austrian defense on the back foot, before Almada played the ball wide to Facundo Medina, who then crossed into the box in the direction of Almada again.

But rather than taking the shot himself, Almada played a dummy, letting the ball slide past him to the waiting left foot of Messi, who buried the shot for the record-breaking goal.

Here is another look at the buildup, and the goal:

The goal touched off a lengthy celebration on the pitch, in the stands, and back home in Argentina. And as history would have it, the goal came 40 years to the day that the legendary Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal for Argentina during the 1986 World Cup.

For the moment, Messi stands alone at the top of the world. And he has the chance to cement himself as the player with the most assists if he goes on to add one today.

But Kylian Mbappe, who is just behind him with 14 goals, plays later in the day on Monday.