Lionel Messi wrote another chapter in FIFA World Cup history on 22 June 2026, scoring twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in Group J at Dallas Stadium to secure a place in the Round of 32.
After missing an early penalty, Messi responded with goals in the 38th minute and deep into stoppage time (90+5) to lift the defending champions to six points from two matches. The brace also took him to 18 FIFA World Cup goals, moving him clear as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, ahead of Miroslav Klose’s 16.
Messi’s performance was capped by being named the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match, while Argentina’s win ensured qualification from Group J with a game still to play.
How Argentina 2-0 Austria unfolded
Argentina’s breakthrough arrived in the 38th minute, and it came through their captain after earlier frustration from the penalty spot. Messi’s opener was crafted inside the area, with Thiago Almada’s dummy helping Facundo Medina’s ball reach him before he stroked the finish into the bottom corner.
Austria, described as spirited in the match report, had moments where they resisted Argentina’s pressure. David Alaba produced decisive blocks to keep his side in contention, and the European team’s best chance to disrupt the defending champions’ control came via a Marcel Sabitzer free-kick on the midfielder’s 100th international appearance.
Argentina also threatened beyond the opening goal, with Nico Gonzalez going close to adding to the lead. Yet Austria struggled to break down Lionel Scaloni’s side, and the contest remained tight until the closing moments.
With Austria pushing for a way back, Messi delivered the decisive second goal in injury time (90+5), finding the net late to seal the 2-0 victory and add a dramatic finish that also impacted the group’s goal difference picture.
Records and milestones for Messi
Messi’s brace in Dallas carried significance beyond the result. Having already scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria, he moved to 18 goals at the global showpiece to eclipse Klose’s long-standing record of 16.
A key stat from the match underlined the run of form: Messi joined Just Fontaine (1958) and Jairzinho (1970) as the only three players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches.
The report also noted that Messi’s double took him top of the tournament’s Golden Boot standings at this stage of the competition.
What they said after the match
Messi highlighted the importance of the victory and the early qualification: “To be honest, I’m really happy about the win, especially as it’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned, but one that gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead. This is the World Cup; it was a very evenly matched, very intense match, and we’re happy to have picked up six points and to have already qualified.”
Austria’s Michael Gregoritsch pointed to the lack of clear openings and the late second goal: “We wanted to be tough and play our game. In the end, we lacked clear chances. The goal that made it 2-0 at the end hurts a bit in terms of our goal difference. Now we need to recover and win against Algeria.”
Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez praised Messi’s impact: “He is the a class above. I don’t have the words. It is a great feeling that he is Argentinian. We have to cherish him. We deserved the win today.”
Julian Alvarez added: “There isn’t much to do say – we can all see that he [Messi] is the best in the world. I am helping the team as much as I can. We have started with our foot on the accelerator and we have to carry on like this.”
Group J picture: Argentina through, Austria still in the hunt
The win moved Argentina to six points from two matches in Group J, with five goals scored and none conceded, confirming their place in the Round of 32. Austria remained on three points after two matches, with their next target clear from Gregoritsch’s comments: recovery and a win against Algeria.
For Argentina, the result mattered on multiple levels: qualification secured, another clean sheet recorded, and Messi’s record-breaking night delivering the difference once again as the defending champions continued their World Cup 2026 campaign.
