The Messi Game: 4 Takeaways From Argentina’s Record-Breaking Win Over Austria

Argentina came to Dallas needing a result to top the group and left with a record. Lionel Messi spent the opening 10 minutes missing a penalty and reminding everyone he’s human. He spent the next 85 showing everyone why he isn’t.

Here are my takeaways from Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria:

1. Klose-ing Time: Messi Didn’t Want A Roommate

For exactly one game, Messi had shared the all-time World Cup men’s scoring record with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at 16 goals. Apparently the arrangement annoyed him. Late in the first half on Monday’s match, Facundo Medina dug out a cross from the left, Messi took one touch, and the ball settled in the bottom corner. 

No. 17 for No. 10, and the record was his alone. In stoppage time he added an 18th goal, threading it through a thicket of Austrian legs like a man squeezing onto a closing subway car.