‘I’ve got zero goals in two World Cups’: Zlatan Ibrahimovic marvels as Lionel Messi breaks World Cup goalscoring record

Lionel Messi’s record-breaking World Cup performance for Argentina has drawn praise from former Barcelona team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who says the Argentina captain continues to do the things that separate him from everyone else.After Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria on Monday to become the top scorer in World Cup history, Ibrahimovic reflected on the 38-year-old’s achievement.“You have moments when he looks human by missing a penalty. Then you have moments when he doesn’t look human. That’s Messi.”“So far it’s his World Cup and he hasn’t played against Jordan yet. So I don’t know where it will end,” Ibrahimovic said in an interview with Fox sports.“Five goals in two games. I’ve got zero goals in two World Cups. So I’m happy for him and I hope he continues.”Messi set the record with his 17th World Cup goal before adding an 18th in stoppage time as defending champions Argentina secured their place in the knockout stages.The record-breaking strike came in the 38th minute, two days before Messi’s 39th birthday. It also came at a time when she is dealing with concerns about her father’s health at home.The goal extended another remarkable run for Messi, who has now scored in six consecutive World Cup matches. Only Frenchman Just Fontaine and Brazilian Jairzinho have achieved this feat.Messi equaled Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals after scoring his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in their Group J opener in Kansas City.Against Austria, he already had the opportunity to advance in front of Klose, but failed to convert a penalty in the ninth minute.Argentina have now won their opening two games in the group and are through to the knockout stages. Messi has scored all five of Argentina’s goals so far in the tournament, his sixth appearance at the World Cup.His second goal of the match came in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager saved the initial effort, but Messi converted the rebound through a crowd of defenders.The record itself came in the first half when Thiago Almada allowed Facundo Medina’s pass to slip through to Messi. From around 20 yards, the Argentina captain struck with his left foot after picking up Schlager moving the wrong way.As the ball crossed the line, Messi ran to the corner flag and raised his right arm in celebration in front of a crowd of 70,649 at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.Monday’s match was Messi’s 28th appearance at the FIFA World Cup, extending his own tournament record.