Messi breaks World Cup all-time scoring record, but controversy clouds opener

Lionel Messi set a new all-time World Cup scoring record at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, but the milestone has been overshadowed by a refereeing controversy.

On Tuesday (Korean Standard Time), Messi scored twice to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their second Group J match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

The brace lifted his career World Cup tally to 17 and then 18 goals, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose — who scored 16 — to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals history. The record came in Messi's sixth World Cup appearance, 20 years after he scored his first World Cup goal at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

Claims emerged, however, that a foul preceded the opening goal. British outlet The Sun reported that former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, 62, told Fox Sports that "that goal should never have been given."

Schmeichel said that in the 38th minute, just before Messi's opener, Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool kicked Xaver Schlager of RB Leipzig from behind — a foul the referee waved off. "VAR should have overturned that. It was a clear mistake by the referee," he added.

According to The Sun, fans flooded social media with criticism, with comments including "FIFA is giving Argentina preferential treatment" and "There was an obvious foul and VAR did nothing — this is a fraud."

Despite the controversy, the goal stood. Messi added a second in stoppage time to bring his tournament tally to five goals, putting him atop the scoring charts. Argentina lead Group J with six points and have secured a place in the round of 32 regardless of the outcome of their final match against Jordan.

안정환, 손흥민 조기 교체 논란에…“되지도 않는 것들이 떠들어”

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