Lionel Messi rewrote football history once again on Monday night, striking twice to send defending champions Argentina into the knockout rounds while matching a legendary World Cup scoring record.

The 38-year-old maestro scored both goals in a dominant 2-0 victory over Austria. With this brace, the Inter Miami forward has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, matching a historic feat previously achieved only by France`s Just Fontaine in 1958 and Brazil`s Jairzinho in 1970.

Messi entered the Group J clash in Dallas in spectacular form, fresh off a historic hat-trick against Algeria in the opening match. Carrying his scoring streak over from Argentina`s magical 2022 championship run in Qatar, the legendary forward also surpassed Germany’s Miroslav Klose to claim his position as the tournament`s outright all-time leading goalscorer.

Argentina has already secured its place in the Round of 32. The Albiceleste will wrap up their group stage campaign against Jordan in the coming days, where their captain will look to stand entirely alone by extending his scoring streak to seven straight games.