Messi's goals lead Argentina to 2026 World Cup knockout stage

Argentina secured their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Austria 2-0 in a closely contested Group J match on Monday, June 22, 2026. The match, held at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, United States, saw Argentina dominate possession while creating numerous scoring opportunities against a disciplined Austrian side.

Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, was central to their attacking play, remaining the focal point throughout the match. The South Americans had an opportunity to take an early lead with a penalty awarded in the first half, but Messi's shot was saved by the Austrian goalkeeper. This miss briefly lifted Austria's spirits as they aimed to frustrate Argentina's advance.

Despite the setback, Argentina continued to press forward, and their efforts bore fruit in the 38th minute when Messi found the net after receiving a timely pass from Facundo Medina. This goal not only gave Argentina a deserved 1-0 lead at halftime but also made Messi the all-time highest goal scorer in World Cup history with 17 goals.

In the second half, Austria displayed determination, attacking fiercely in an attempt to regain footing in the match. They defended robustly, threatening Argentina occasionally on the counterattack, but Argentina’s organized defense kept them at bay. Argentina continued to control the midfield, staving off any sustained pressure from Austria, while further increasing their chances but failing to extend their lead for much of the half.

As the match entered stoppage time and it seemed Austria would keep the score respectable, Messi struck again in the 90+5th minute, calmly finishing another attacking sequence to secure a 2-0 victory for Argentina. This goal brought Messi's World Cup total to 18 goals.

The match featured several tough challenges, leading to yellow cards for both teams. Austria’s Kevin Danso was cautioned for a reckless tackle, while Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul received a booking as well. Messi’s two goals were crucial in helping Argentina collect all three points, facilitating their progression to the next round, while Austria needs positive results in their upcoming matches to maintain their World Cup aspirations.