Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina during the training of Argentina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria at Dallas Stadium (Photo by Richard Pelham / AFP)
Doha, Qatar: When Argentina face Austria today, the world champions will not only be chasing a second consecutive victory that could secure control of Group J, but their captain could also become the first player to score 17 goals in World Cup history.
The two nations meet in Dallas for their second Group J match, with the battle for top spot already underway. Both opened their campaigns with convincing victories and another three points could effectively seal their place in the knockout stage while placing the winner in a commanding position to finish top of the group.
Whenever Argentina are involved, there is often an even bigger story unfolding around one man. Lionel Messi arrives with history within touching distance.
The Argentine captain produced a stunning hat-trick in the opening 3-0 victory over Algeria, taking his World Cup tally to 16 goals and equalling German legend Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. One more goal would make the 38-year-old the outright record holder with 17.
The remarkable thing about Messi in recent years is that he no longer needs to dominate every minute to decide matches. He picks his moments, controls the rhythm and still possesses an ability to appear exactly where the game needs him most.
The world champions continue to benefit from the foundations laid by coach Lionel Scaloni. They defend with discipline, press intelligently and have developed a collective identity that has outlasted generations of players. The likes of Julian Álvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister provide energy around Messi, allowing him to conserve himself for decisive moments.
But today, Austria may present an entirely different challenge to the world champions.
Ralf Rangnick’s teams are known for their intensity and Austria’s opening 3-1 win over Jordan highlighted exactly that. Aggressive pressing, quick transitions and a strong work rate helped them secure victory and underlined why the team is enjoying one of its strongest periods in recent decades.
Austria may not have the star power of Europe’s traditional giants, but they are no longer a side simply happy to be at the tournament. With several players competing in top European leagues, there is growing belief that this generation can make its mark.
Marcel Sabitzer remains the creative force in midfield, while Konrad Laimer provides energy and pace. David Alaba, despite injury problems in recent years, continues to offer valuable experience and leadership in defence.
Messi said ahead of the clash: “We are taking it one game at a time. Every match at this stage is a final, and we know Austria is going to be a tough physical and tactical test.”
Austria captain Alaba, acknowledging the threat posed by the reigning world champions, said: “We definitely watched their game. We know what kind of opponent we’re up against and what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi.”
Coach Rangnick added: “Argentina are a classic side. They have shown exactly why they are the reigning champions, and we will need a flawless tactical performance to disrupt their rhythm.”
Interestingly, despite both nations’ rich footballing traditions, this will be their first meeting at a World Cup. Their encounters overall have been rare, adding another layer of curiosity to a fixture that has grown in significance since the draw was made.
Argentina know that another victory would leave them on the brink of the knockout stages and allow Scaloni the option of rotating his squad later in the group phase. Austria, meanwhile, know that an upset would transform their campaign and put them firmly in the race for a place in the last 32.
The world champions remain favourites, but Austria have already shown they are capable of causing problems. With both sides chasing a second win and valuable momentum, the clash in Dallas promises to be one of the standout contests of the second round of Group J fixtures. And somewhere in Texas, history may be waiting for Messi.
