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Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer Monday, scoring twice as defending champion Argentina powered into the last 32 with a 2-0 victory over Austria.
Messi swept home a low finish in the 38th minute of the Group J match in Arlington, Texas, to take his career World Cup tally to 17 goals, one more than the previous record of 16 he had shared with Miroslav Klose.
He then extended his record to 18 goals deep in stoppage time, driving a finish through a crowd of defenders to seal Argentina's win.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who turns 39 on Wednesday, had missed a chance to break the record after eight minutes when he dragged a penalty wide of the post.
But the Argentina captain made no mistake seven minutes before halftime, calmly placing his finish beyond the dive of Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
He completed his double in the fifth minute of stoppage time, taking his tally for the tournament to five goals after his hat trick in Argentina's opening 3-0 win over Algeria last week.
Monday's victory guaranteed Argentina a place in the knockout rounds, and the South Americans could clinch top spot later Monday if Jordan fail to beat Algeria.
Messi is now four goals clear of another player chasing the all-time World Cup scoring record, Kylian Mbappe, who will play his 100th game for France when they face Iraq in Philadelphia.
"There is nothing bigger -- 100 is a historic figure, and to have the chance to reach that tally here at a World Cup means it will be a special match for me," Mbappe said Sunday.
Mbappe, 27, is tied with West Germany great Gerd Mueller on 14 goals after scoring twice in France's opening 3-1 win over Senegal in Group I.
France, beaten by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 final, will expect to brush aside Iraq to secure a place in the knockout phase in a match that could be interrupted by thunderstorms forecast in Philadelphia.
Norway and striker Erling Haaland, who scored twice against Iraq in a 4-1 opening win, will also be guaranteed a place in the next round if they beat Senegal in New Jersey and France defeat Iraq.
The World Cup, however, is over for German defender Nico Schlotterbeck.
The 26-year-old injured ligaments in his left ankle in Saturday's 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
In Sunday's action, Spain got its campaign back on track with a 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia, while World Cup debutant Cape Verde produced another memorable performance to snatch a 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team was now dreaming of a place in the knockout rounds, a scenario that would have been unthinkable before the tournament.
"We want to show the entire world that we are in the condition to fight for qualification, and I think that that's what we showed in today's match," Bubista said.
Belgium is still looking for its first win after being held to a 0-0 draw by Iran in Group G.
The Red Devils, who also drew with Egypt in their opener, finished the match in Los Angeles with 10 men and struggled to break down a resolute Iranian side.
Iran is competing at the World Cup while its country and the United States are in negotiations to end their war.
The Iranian team left a handwritten message after the match at SoFi Stadium saying: "We came to Los Angeles with pride, competed with honour, and leave with dignity. May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations."
Egypt moved to the top of the group Sunday after coming from behind to claim the first World Cup victory in the country's history, a 3-1 win over New Zealand.
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