Argentina will face Austria in their final group game of the 2026 World Cup. Read our in-depth preview of what could be a historic night out in Dallas.
Argentina will be looking to secure advancement to the knockout stages when they face Austria. The reigning world champions started Group J in the best possible way with a 3-0 win over Algeria – and Austria followed up with a 3-1 win over Jordan.
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Lionel Messi once again stole the headlines with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria. The 38-year-old reminded the entire football world that he is still capable of deciding games on the biggest stage.
Now he is only one goal away from breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record – but his focus is first and foremost on helping Argentina defend the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago.
Austria, led by Ralf Rangnick, had to work hard for their win against Jordan. They pulled away in the closing minutes, after Jordan had long threatened to frustrate them.
Team news: Argentina with the stars – Austria with injury concerns
Argentina are expected to build the team around Messi, with Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Thiago Almada in midfield behind the captain.
Nahuel Molina is likely to start at right-back, as Gonzalo Montiel is struggling with a hamstring injury. Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez continue their partnership in central defence, while Lautaro Martínez leads the attack alongside Messi.
Austria has a concern: Stefan Posch is struggling with a broken jaw and can be rested as a precaution. If he is not available, Konrad Laimer can be moved to right-back.
Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager are expected to keep their places in midfield, while Carney Chukwuemeka could continue as number 10 behind the strikers. Sasa Kalajdzic can keep his place in the striker, although Marko Arnautović is pushing on after scoring as a substitute against Jordan.
Predicted starting line-ups
Argentina (4-3-3):
E. Martínez – Molina, Romero, L. Martínez, Medina – De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernández – Almada, Messi, Martínez
Austria (4-2-3-1):
A. Schlager – Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene – Seiwald, X. Schlager – Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer – Kalajdzic
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Key figures before the match
- Argentina won their opening match 3-0 against Algeria.
- Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s victory.
- La Albiceleste have won eight straight games in all competitions.
- Argentina have won seven World Cup matches in a row.
- Austria beat Jordan 3-1 in their opening match.
- Austria have conceded more than one goal in just one of their last 18 games.
- Austria is participating in its first World Cup since 1998.
- Argentina is the reigning world champion after winning in 2022.
- Austria has not reached the knockout stages since 1982.
- The nations have met twice before: Argentina won 5-1 in 1980, and it ended 1-1 in 1990.
Our prediction: Argentina will win – but Austria will be tougher than Algeria
Austria have become an extremely well-organised team under Rangnick, and they are likely to give Argentina a much tougher test than Algeria did in the opening round.
Argentina’s immense quality throughout the squad – combined with Messi’s outstanding form – should still be decisive. Expect a close match, but the world champions seem to have enough to secure another win – and a place in the knockout stages.
Prediction: Argentina 2-1 Austria
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