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Messi sets World Cup scoring record as defending champion Argentina advances to knockout stage
By Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 The Pearland
The excitement of Argentina's win and Lionel Messi's record-breaking performance is likely to resonate with Pearland 's diverse community, where soccer is a popular sport. Many residents with Latin American roots may be particularly thrilled to see Messi, an Argentine soccer legend, make history. The fact that the game was played in a nearby stadium, the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, may also spark interest among local sports fans. As Pearland continues to grow and become more diverse, events like this World Cup match can help bring the community together, with many likely gathering to watch the games and cheer on their favorite teams. With Argentina advancing to the knockout stage, local fans will be eager to see how the team performs in the next round, and Messi's continued success will undoubtedly be closely watched in Pearland and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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