Lionel Messi has another date with history on Monday night. The 38-year-old captain can become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with one more goal when Argentina face Austria at Dallas Stadium, a match that could also send the defending champions into the round of 32.
Argentina lead Group J after a commanding 3-0 win over Algeria on Wednesday, with Messi’s stunning hat-trick erasing any lingering questions about their title credentials. That performance left him tied with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals. One more on Monday, and the record is his.
But for Lionel Scaloni, the priority to secure qualification. Victory guarantees Argentina top spot and a place in the round of 32. A draw will almost certainly be enough, ensuring a top-three finish in the expanded 48-team format.
Argentina’s momentum is hard to ignore. Scaloni’s men have won eight straight matches in all competitions, keeping seven clean sheets in that run. At World Cups, they’ve now won seven in a row equaling their total from the previous 14 tournament games combined.
Finish first in Group J and Argentina would meet the Group H runners-up: Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay, or Cape Verde await in the next round.
Austria sit second on three points after a dramatic 3-1 win over Jordan on June 17. Ralf Rangnick’s side needed a 76th-minute own goal to take the lead before Marko Arnautovic sealed it from the spot deep into stoppage time.
The win leaves Das Team one result away from reaching the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 1982. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a nation playing its first World Cup since 1998.
Rangnick will want his defense tighter than it was when Jordan equalized in the 50th minute, with Austria’s left flank caught out after an aggressive press. Still, his side have conceded more than once in just one of their last 18 games, and they’ve scored 2+ goals in four of their last six competitive matches.
The nations have met only twice. Austria earned a 1-1 draw in a 1990 friendly but were beaten 5-1 by Argentina in 1980. Monday is their first competitive meeting.
Team News and Likely Lineups
Scaloni’s system is built to get the best out of Messi. Expect Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, and Thiago Almada to form a midfield diamond behind the captain, with Lautaro Martinez leading the line.
At the back, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez should continue their partnership. Nahuel Molina is likely to start at right-back, with Gonzalo Montiel doubtful due to a hamstring issue.
Austria are sweating on right-back Stefan Posch, who suffered a broken jaw. He doesn’t need surgery but is unlikely to risk further damage. Konrad Laimer is set to deputize.
In midfield, RB Leipzig duo Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager will shield the defense, with Carney Chukwuemeka operating as a No. 10. Up front, Sasa Kalajdzic will be desperate to last longer than the 45 minutes he managed against Jordan before being replaced by Arnautovic.
Argentina possible XI: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, L. Martinez
Austria possible XI: A. Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, X. Schlager; Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer; Kalajdzic
Kick-off: Monday, June 22, 2026 – 8:00 PM CT, Dallas Stadium
