'I'm very tired': Lionel Messi happy with record-breaking night for Argentina

[p]The 38-year-old ‌Argentine captain missed a penalty, scored twice and ‌stretched his World Cup scoring run to six ‌matches in a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/argentina-f9OppQjp/austria-naHiWdnt/?mid=Cpq2Y2FE"]hard-fought 2-0 victory[/a] over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/austria/naHiWdnt/"]Austria[/a] that sent his team into the knockout stage.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a]'s first ‌goal, a first-time finish from ⁠Facundo Medina's low ‌cross, moved him level with Brazilian great Marta on ​17 World Cup goals across the men's and women's tournaments. His stoppage-time second took ​him clear on his own, setting a new overall mark.[/p][p]"[b]I'm very happy with the win[/b]," ⁠Messi said. "[b]It was ​a hugely important victory, a tough one, and one we worked hard for. It gives us calm for what's coming[/b]."[/p][image alt="Messi stats vs Austria" id="71354760-0897-4f7c-833f-73b5605ff6fb" credit-line="IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters / Maria Lysaker / Opta by StatsPerform" guid="2d039534-597b-4888-a5fe-21fb9d0356c2" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]The night might have ‌been more comfortable had he converted from the spot in the first half, but Messi said [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] could take satisfaction from managing the game after Austria improved following the break.[/p][p]"[b]The truth is that the way it turned out today was spectacular[/b]," he said. "[b]I had the penalty that could have increased the lead, but ‌I'm happy with the result and with the ​team's work[/b]."[/p][p]Messi, who turns 39 later this ‌week, now has five goals at this World Cup and Argentina have six points from two Group J matches, enough to reach the last 32 with a game ⁠to spare.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]