Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, but his record-breaking 17th goal against Austria on 22/6 at Dallas in the 2026 tournament has sparked controversy. Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel claimed the goal, scored in the 38th minute of Argentina's Group J match, should have been disallowed due to a foul committed earlier in the play.

During Fox Sports' halftime commentary, Schmeichel stated that referee Amin Mohamed Omar missed a clear foul by Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Mac Allister kicked Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager from behind in midfield, causing him to fall, moments before the ball reached Messi.

Alexis Mac Allister's tackle sent Xaver Schlager to the ground before Lionel Messi scored Argentina's opening goal against Austria in Arlington, Texas on 22/6. *Screenshot*.

"I do not think that goal should have stood", Schmeichel said, drawing a parallel to an earlier penalty Argentina received. "Lautaro Martinez was kicked from behind by an Austrian player. Mac Allister did the same to his opponent in the situation leading to this goal". The 62-year-old former goalkeeper stressed that the referee should have called a foul for Austria, describing it as a "clear and obvious error". He added, "VAR should have reviewed and disallowed the goal. I feel sorry for Austria".

Following Schlager's fall, Messi gained possession and moved the ball to the left wing. After a quick combination, Facundo Medina delivered a cross into the penalty area, allowing the Argentinian captain to score with a one-touch left-foot shot into the low corner, leaving the Austrian goalkeeper with no chance.

This contentious goal enabled Messi to surpass former German striker Miroslav Klose, who held the previous record of 16 goals from the 2014 World Cup. Schmeichel, a treble winner with Manchester United in 1999 and a Euro 1992 champion with Denmark, was a guest commentator for FOX at Dallas, alongside former Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids.

Peter Schmeichel (right) discusses Messi's goal, which he believes should have been disallowed, with Edgar Davids (center) at Dallas. *Screenshot*.

The significance of Messi's goal was heightened by his earlier missed opportunity to set the record. In the 9th minute, Argentina was awarded a penalty after Lautaro Martinez was fouled by Xaver Schlager inside the box. Messi stepped up to the 11-meter spot but goalkeeper Alexander Schlager saved his attempt. This marked Messi's third consecutive missed penalty in regular time at a World Cup, making him the first player in the tournament's history to miss three out of seven attempts.

Despite the controversy surrounding his opening goal, Messi secured Argentina's 2-0 victory by scoring again in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time with a rebound shot. This second goal brought his total to 18 goals in 28 World Cup matches. Consequently, even if his initial record-breaking goal were to be discounted, Argentina would still have won, and Messi would still have broken Klose's record with his subsequent strike.