The scoring record was broken when Messi netted with a sumptuous finish late in the first half, recovering superbly after he had earlier missed a penalty.

He made sure of the win with another goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Argentina is through to the knockout stage and on the brink of sealing first place in Group J, a status that will be confirmed with one match to spare if Jordan fails to defeat Algeria.

Should Argentina finish top, it will take on the runner-up of Group H in Miami on 3 July, which – as things stand – means it would avoid a clash with fellow contender Spain in the last 32. 

Austria remains second in the group after the defeat and its fate will be decided in a crunch clash against Algeria in its third group match.

Messi did not have to wait long for an opportunity to make history.

From the first meaningful attack of the match, Lautaro Martinez turned sharply and claimed for a penalty after going down under pressure from Austria duo Xaver Schlager and Stefan Posch.

Having initially been unmoved, referee Amin Omar opted to award a spot-kick after being called to the monitor by VAR. Messi, however, dragged a casual ninth-minute penalty wide of Alexander Schlager’s left post, prompting huge celebrations from the Austria goalkeeper.

As the South Americans kept up the pressure, a combination of Schlager and captain David Alaba had to react sharply to deny Messi from close range after a slick Argentina move involving Martinez, and the Inter Miami forward also had another goal-bound effort blocked.

But Messi was not to be denied, as the crowd erupted in the 38th minute.

Messi and Thiago Almada were initially involved in the build-up before Facundo Medina crossed from the left. A timely dummy from Atletico Madrid star Almada then allowed in-form Messi to produce a classic first-time finish with his left foot, finding the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area.

Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez was finally forced into action in the second half as he parried away a free-kick from Marcel Sabitzer, who became the fourth Austria player to earn 100 caps, while Michael Gregoritsch was off target with a headed chance.

A victory for Argentina rarely looked in doubt, though, and the match increasingly lacked goalmouth action as it entered the closing stages.

But Messi would have the final word to ensure Lionel Scaloni's side got over the line, firing in with a low finish at the second attempt after being found by Enzo Fernandez, a goalmouth scramble which was sparked by Schlager saving from substitute Julian Alvarez.