Lionel Messi during a training session.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
Lionel Messi has spent the better part of two decades bending football’s sense of time. Records that once looked permanent have become milestones in his journey through the game. Defenders have changed, managers have changed, even the shape of Argentina around him has changed, but the central question has remained stubbornly familiar — how do you stop Messi when a match begins to orbit around him?
Austria will be the next team asked to find an answer to that question.
After scoring the 61st hat-trick of his career, 50 for clubs and 11 for Argentina, in the 3-0 win over Algeria, Messi stands one goal away from moving past Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. If he strikes against Austria, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will also become only the third player in the tournament history to net in six consecutive World Cup matches.
Just Fontaine did it for France in 1958 and Jairzinho followed for Brazil in 1970, both across single tournaments. Messi’s run began with Argentina’s win over Australia in the round of 16 during its long-awaited triumph in Qatar four years ago and continues into what is expected to be his final World Cup.
Nearing 39, his influence shows little sign of fading. Against Algeria, he had a direct hand in eight of Argentina’s 10 shots, taking six himself while creating two chances. Yet while Messi stole the headlines, Argentina’s defensive authority was just as important. Lionel Scaloni’s midfield, led by Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, expertly shielded its defence and did not allow Algeria a single shot on target.
Austria arrives in Dallas after a 3-1 win over Jordan and will look to extend its four-game winning run in all competitions.
“We know how good Argentina are,” young midfielder Paul Wanner said. “We respect them, but we are confident in our strengths. If we bring our qualities to the pitch, we will pose problems for any team.”
Austria’s pressing game will try to disrupt Argentina’s rhythm, but coach Ralf Rangnick has injury concerns. Captain David Alaba, Stefan Posch, who wore a specially designed protective mask after breaking his jaw against Jordan, and Alessandro Schopf have all trained separately and are racing against time to be fit for the all-important game. Argentina, too, is worried about the fitness of defender Gonzalo Montiel, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
If the South Americans beat Austria and Jordan fails to defeat Algeria, Scaloni’s side will be guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds as the winner of Group J.
For Argentina, this is another step towards the ultimate goal of another World title. For Messi, it is another opportunity to claim yet another record that once seemed untouchable.
Published – June 21, 2026 06:43 pm IST
