Updated: 2026-07-01 | Results and data follow FIFA’s official announcements; please re-confirm live information.
Holders Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in this 2026 World Cup Group J fixture at Dallas Stadium, with Lionel Messi scoring twice to rewrite the history books. In the 9th minute Lautaro Martínez was fouled inside the box and, after a VAR check confirmed the penalty, Messi stepped up but dragged his spot-kick wide, spurning an early opener. He soon made amends, sweeping home a left-footed finish from the edge of the area in the 38th minute to send Argentina in ahead at the break. Austria failed to register a single shot on target in the first half and rarely troubled the Argentine goal. Deep into stoppage time, in the 90+5th minute, Messi saw his effort blocked before pouncing on the rebound to seal the win. The brace, added to his hat-trick in the opener, took Messi to 18 World Cup goals, moving him past Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history.
The result left Argentina top of Group J with a perfect record of two wins and six points, securing their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare. Their final group match comes against Jordan on 27 June, where they can still fight to lock up first place and a more favourable route through the bracket. For fixtures and viewing plans, see the World Cup Canada hub and the where to watch in Canada; all changes follow FIFA’s official announcements.
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