01What happened
The story, straight
Lionel Messi can become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer if he nets one more goal when Argentina faces Austria on Sunday. The match airs on FOX with U.S. streaming details available via The Athletic. Separately, The Athletic FC podcast analyzed FOX's World Cup punditry lineup, calling Alexi Lalas 'unlikeable' while noting Zlatan Ibrahimovic's potential as a commentator.
one goal — that's all Messi needs against Austria tonight to become the World Cup's all-time top scorer. the match is on FOX. meanwhile, The Athletic FC pod roasted the FOX pundit squad — they called Alexi Lalas 'unlikeable' and floated Zlatan as a commentator option.
02Spread timeline
Where it actually started
03Source receipts
Every claim, linked
04What's solid, what isn't
What's solid and what isn't
- Argentina faces Austria in World Cup group play on Sunday.
- Messi is one goal away from becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer.
- The Athletic FC podcast labeled Alexi Lalas 'unlikeable' in a punditry analysis.
- The Athletic's characterization of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a promising commentator candidate.
05Why it matters
The editorial take
Messi entering the record books during a World Cup match would be one of the tournament's defining moments. The punditry analysis reflects ongoing scrutiny of FOX's broadcast talent as U.S. viewership of the World Cup continues to grow.
Messi breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record during a live match is the kind of moment that makes people who don't care about soccer suddenly care about soccer. and the Lalas roasting is just free content.