Key Takeaways:
- Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup Group J fixture in Dallas
- Messi overtook Miroslav Klose’s World Cup goalscoring record with his 17th goal in the competition and later scored another
- The reigning champions clinched qualification for the Round of 32 following their ninth consecutive victory
Match Analysis
Argentina continued their strong campaign in Dallas by securing a 2-0 victory over Austria, progressing to the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup. The early stages were marked by high intensity as Lisandro Martínez was brought down in the penalty area by Stefan Posch in the fourth minute, initially dismissed by the referee but later awarded as a penalty after a VAR review. Lionel Messi, given the chance to set the tone, uncharacteristically missed the spot-kick, dragging his effort wide and providing Austria with momentum. Notably, Marcel Sabitzer and David Alaba were energetic throughout Austria’s pressing, and Konrad Laimer repeatedly challenged the Argentine defence with four direct runs during the first half.
Argentina are moving on ⏭️#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 22, 2026
Despite Austria’s early ascendancy, their attacking efforts rarely troubled the Argentine goal. Gradually, Argentina regained control, and it was Messi who ultimately broke the deadlock. Finishing off Facundo Medina’s low cross, Messi side-footed home his 17th goal at the World Cup, thereby eclipsing Miroslav Klose’s longstanding tournament record.
Second Half Overview
Austria emerged after the interval with renewed determination, forcing Emiliano Martínez into a swift save, followed by an acrobatic intervention to tip Marcel Sabitzer’s dangerous free-kick over the bar. Increased physicality from Austria introduced a stop-start tempo, disrupting Argentina’s rhythm but also hindering Das Team’s ability to establish any offensive cohesion.
Argentina came close to doubling their lead in the 72nd minute when Nico González, meeting Messi’s corner, saw his forceful header narrowly miss the target. As the match wore on and Austria pressed for an equaliser, both sides found more space. Kevin Danso thwarted González’s late effort, and substitute Marko Arnautovic struggled to make an impact as Argentina maintained their defensive solidity.
Messi Caps Off Victory and Rewrites History
The result was sealed in stoppage time when Messi pounced in the penalty area following a scramble, rifling home his second goal of the game. By securing three points, Argentina extended their unbeaten World Cup run to eight matches (W6, D2) and notched up a ninth consecutive win across all competitions. Conversely, this defeat marked only Austria’s second loss in their last 13 fixtures (W10, D1). Nevertheless, Ralf Ragnick’s men remain in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
