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Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to knockout stage
By Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· June 22, 2026
· 3 min read
Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his 17th and 18th goals, and defending champion Argentina advanced to the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday.Messi had a golden opportunity to break the record in the ninth minute, but went wide to the right on a penalty kick. Almost ...
Key takeaway Almost 30 minutes later, Messi caught Alexander Schlager leaning the wrong way after Thiago Almada let Facuno Medina's pass go by him directly onto Messi's left foot.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
The excitement of Argentina's win and Lionel Messi's record-breaking performance is likely to resonate with San Antonio's vibrant soccer community. As the Alamo City's own soccer enthusiasts celebrate Messi's achievement, they may be reminded of the growing popularity of the sport in their own backyard. With a strong following for international soccer matches, local fans may be eager to gather at watch parties and sports bars to cheer on their favorite teams. The fact that Messi's record-breaking game was played in a Texas stadium, albeit in Dallas, may also spark interest among local soccer fans to attend future international matches in the state. As Argentina advances to the knockout stage, San Antonio fans will be watching closely to see how the team fares, and perhaps drawing inspiration from Messi's remarkable skills to support their own local soccer initiatives.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his 17th and 18th goals, and defending champion Argentina advanced to the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday.Messi had a golden opportunity to break the record in the ninth minute, but went wide to the right on a penalty kick. Almost ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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