By Izuchukwu Okosi
Lionel Messi was the undoubted star of the show Monday evening as Argentina overcame Austria 2-0 to remain unbeaten in the FIFA World Cup in eight matches of the FIFA World Cup.
The star who turns 39 on Wednesday thus became the leading top scorer in the history of the tournament with 18 goals, one more above Germany’s Miroslav Klose.
Lautaro Martinez was brought down in the penalty box and the referee awarded the Albeceleste a penalty after a VAR review.
Lionel Messi stepped up for the spot kick but saw the ball agonisingly roll out for a goal kick.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was behind Klose with 16 goals as the top scorer in the history of the tournament as the expectation of his retirement reverberates.
Messi’s slalom run with almost a quarter of the game played almost resulted in a goal but the eagle-eyed Austrian defence cleared their lines before the forward could cause havoc.
With barely eight minutes before the first half break, Messi found the back of the net as he latched onto a pass from a movement he initiated to score his 17th goal at the mundial – his sixth consecutive goal in the tournament.
This was after Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schalagar produced an instinctive save to deny the Albeceleste.
Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer produced an excellent free kick 20 minutes into the second half but Emiliano Martinez produced an elastic save to deny the Bayern Munich forward.
Nicholas Gonzalez saw his 73rd minute glancing header go wide off a corner kick from Messi.
Argentina are already through to the round of 32 of the tournament.
