Argentina Vs Austria Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi's Brace Sees ARG Qualify For Round Of 32 In Dallas

• Total games: 02

• Argentina won: 01

• Austria won: 00

• Matches drawn: 01

Argentina: Martinez, Martinez, Romero, Medina, Molina, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Messi, Almada, Martinez

Austria: Schlager, Danso, Posch, Alaba, Schlager, Seiwald, Sabitzer, Schmid, Laimer, Wanner, Gregoritsch

“It’s incredible that Messi started such a tournament with a hat-trick. Absolutely insane … Let’s hope he doesn’t [do it] again,” the 33-year-old said.

“We know what kind of opponent we’re up against, what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi, but also what they’re capable of as a team.”

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Messi is currently tied with Argentina legend, Diego Maradona with eight assists. One more assist will see Messi hold the record.

Teams are out. National anthems coming up shortly.

Away we go.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 1'

The stadium in Dallas is a sea of blue and white. It's basically a home game for Argentina. Wherever Messi goes, his fandom follows.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 3'

Lautaro Martinez is brought down in the box by Stefan Posch with VAR now having a look at a possible penalty.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 5'

Penalty awarded to Argentina as Austria players are angry at the call from the ref.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 8'

BREAKING! Messi proves he's HUMAN as the Argentine ace misses the penalty. The AUT keeper are ecstatic but that has not stopped the ARG fans to stop bouncing as they still chant.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 9'

Austria earn a free-kick right on the edge of the box as Alexis Mac Allister puts in a clumsy challenge. Marcel Sabitzer whips it in but he doesn't catch it at all and it's cleared at the near post.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 16'

Lionel Messi sprints into the penalty area. He needs to take a shot with his right foot, yet he opts for an additional touch to maneuver around the defender, resulting in a loss of possession.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 20'

Just as when the AUT players were starting to get into rhythm, the ref has called for hydration break. The players will not like this break. It just disrupts the rhythm of the game.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 26'

We have hit the 30th minute in the game and it's still 0-0 in Dallas. Both sides are open at the back with either side capable of scoring.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 30'

This is turning out to be a feisty affair in the middle. Cristian Romero hits Gregoritsch on he head as the AUT players appeal to the ref to stop play but the game goes on.

Argentina 0-0 Austria 36'

Lionel Messi holds the record as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, executing his trademark run just inside the penalty area to place the ball into the bottom corner.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 38'

Seems like AUT players have not taken the goal that much as Stefan Posch leaves the shoulder in on Enzo Fernandez to catch him in the face. Posch is booked.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 40'

We are minutes away from the half-time with ARG in the ascendancy. This has been a superb performance from the defending champions with AUT no where near them in the game so far.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 44'

We've got seven minutes added on at the end of the first half.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 45+1'

Peep peep! There goes the half-time whistle as Messi's record-breaking goal differentiates the two sides at the break.

Argentina 1-0 Austria

Austria get the ball rolling for the second half in Dallas.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 46'

Lionel Messi is three yards offside as the ball is whipped into him.

He looks to round the keeper but loses the ball at the vital moment.

However, the offside flag goes up.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 51'

Konrad Laimer is tripped and the ref points for a free-kick. Cristian Romero the culprit.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 55'

Marcel Sabitzer gets it on target but Dibu Martinez saves it and AUT fail to get anything out of it.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 56'

Nicolas Otamendi comes on as ARG haul off Spurs captain Romero.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 59'

ARG boss Scaloni rings in the changes with Julian Alvarez and Nico Gonzalez on place of Lautaro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 65'

Leo Messi whips in a corner and Nico Gonzalez's header is wide off the target. A huge chance to seal the deal for the defending champs.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 74'

Austria have rang in the changes but there's no quality up front. The European side have not had the quality of Messi or Mbappe upfront and that's why they find themselves trailing.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 77'

Argentina have not produced a top performance but they know how to get the job done. Austria are chasing shadows.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 85'

A stunning ball forward from Lisandro Martinez for Nico Gonzalez. The Atleti man's shot is blocked by Danso. Enzo Fernandez then shoots but it is blocked.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 87'

Shakira is in the house tonight with her kids as we see five minutes added on.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 90'

Marcel Sabitzer puts in a great cross in the box as of Kevin Danso at the back post but Patrick Wimmer directs it wide of the post.

Argentina 1-0 Austria 93'

Of course it's HIM! Lionel Messi SCORES #18 as Argentina settle the contest and get their ticket to the next round.

Argentina 2-0 Austria 95'

Lionel Messi is inches wide from bagging yet another hat-trick as the ref blows the FT whistle as the Argentine leads his side to the Round of 32 by scoring record-breaking 17th and 18th World Cup goals.

Argentina 2-0 Austria