Argentina vs Austria

Argentina 2-0 Austria: Messi Makes History at World Cup 2026

Victory Secures Knockout Qualification

In Group  CONGADEN J of the 2026 World Cup, defending champions Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Austria at the Dallas Stadium, officially booking their place in the round of 32. The win puts Argentina top of Group J with 6 points, three clear of Austria .

Messi Misses Penalty Then Makes History

The match started dramatically when Argentina won a penalty in the 5th minute after Lautaro Martinez was fouled inside the box. However, Lionel Messi saw his spot-kick saved by Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager in the 9th minute . The miss could have shaken any player, but the 39-year-old superstar refused to let the error affect his performance.https://congaden.tv/

In the 38th minute, a brilliant pass from Facundo Medina found Thiago Almada, who cleverly let the ball run through for Messi to fire home a first-time left-footed finish, breaking the deadlock. This goal not only opened the scoring but also made history – Messi surpassed Miroslav Klose's record of 16 goals to become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with his 17th goal .

In stoppage time of the second half, Messi added his second goal of the night, sealing the 2-0 victory and taking his World Cup tally to an incredible 18 goals .

Match Analysis

Austria started the game with an aggressive pressing style and disciplined defending, causing Argentina significant problems in the early stages. Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and center-back David Alaba produced several excellent saves and clearances in the first half .

In the second half, Austria pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Marcel Sabitzer had a dangerous free-kick that forced Emiliano Martinez into a vital save, but Argentina's defense stood firm throughout . The backline, marshaled by Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi, ensured Messi's record-breaking performance would not be wasted.

Performance and Key Takeaways

This victory is a historic milestone for Argentina, reinforcing their status as strong contenders to defend their crown . The team showed resilience after the early penalty miss, a hallmark of championship mentality.

Player of the Match

With a stunning performance that included two goals and a new world record, Lionel Messi was named Player of the Match with a rating of 9.2 . His ability to overcome adversity and deliver on the biggest stage continues to inspire.