A hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening game of the tournament had moved the 38-year-old level with Miroslav Klose’s mark of 16 goals.
During Monday’s game in Dallas, Messi missed an early opportunity to surpass that tally after firing wide from the penalty spot, but he broke the record towards the end of the first half with shot into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Alex Schlager.
Messi struck again in stoppage time to bag his 18th World Cup goal and secure back-to-back wins for Argentina ahead of their final group match against Jordan in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Argentina were awarded a penalty in the opening 10 minutes when Lautaro Martinez got caught in a challenge with Austria duo Stefan Posch and Schlager and, after a lengthy VAR check, Messi had an early chance to break the scoring record, but sent his spot-kick wide.
Marcel Sabitzer had a free-kick easily cleared, but Austria were soon called into defensive action again to scramble the ball away from Messi in the area.
Austria started to grow into the game and Sabitzer had a shot blocked, but after the hydration break Argentina threatened again when Messi’s pass was stopped by Schlager and the striker’s follow-up was blocked by captain David Alaba.
Messi then made history in the 38th minute, drifting into the middle of the box and latching onto Facundo Medina’s pass before hitting a cool finish into the bottom corner.
The striker looked to make an impact early in the second half when his chipped free-kick was cleared and Emiliano Martinez was forced into a solid save at the opposite end to claw away Sabitzer’s free-kick.
A well-worked move from Argentina resulted in Enzo Fernandez having an effort blocked by Kevin Danso and Messi then seemingly had a shot tipped wide by Schlager, but a goal-kick was awarded.
Austria had a good opportunity when Sabitzer sent in a cross for Michael Gregoritsch, but the forward nodded over the crossbar.
Argentina almost extended their advantage in the 73rd minute when Nico Gonzalez flicked a header wide from Messi’s corner into the area.
In the final stages, Danso made another important block from Gonzalez and Fernandez smashed the rebound into the defence before the ball was cleared and Austria had an opportunity to equalise when Patrick Wimmer headed wide.
Argentina took advantage when Julian Alvarez had an effort saved and the ball was recycled back into the area for Messi to smash home his fifth goal of the tournament deep into time added on.
Messi told Telemundo, in quotes reported on the FIFA website: “To be honest, I’m really happy about the win, especially as it’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned, but one that gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead.
“This is the World Cup; it was a very evenly-matched, very intense match, and we’re happy to have picked up six points and to have already qualified.”
Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick told Magenta TV, in quotes reported on the FIFA website: “We could have achieved more, but overall our performance was exactly as we’d planned – bold and courageous.
“I would have liked to see a bit more courage in one or two situations, and perhaps a shot or two from distance, which would have been possible, especially in the first half. The way the 2-0 came about, with that counter-attack happening, was very frustrating. But overall, it was a good performance from us.”
