Messi, who was the first to miss eleven in this World Cup, broke two records in less than half an hour.

In a tightly contested Group J match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Austria, thanks largely to two goals from their star player, Lionel Messi. The game took place on June 22, 2026, marking another significant chapter in Messi's storied career as he continued to etch his name into football history. This win solidified Argentina’s position at the top of their group after just two matches, giving them six points and a commanding lead over their opponents.

The first half was defined by cautious play, with both teams showing restraint but Argentina maintaining control. The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Messi, who had struggled to find his rhythm earlier in the match, finally broke through. After receiving a pass from Ángel Di María, Messi bypassed the Austrian defense with a powerful shot from the left side of the goal, sending the ball past goalkeeper David Wolf. This goal marked Messi’s 17th World Cup goal, surpassing the previous record held by German striker Miroslav Klose. It also gave Argentina a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Despite the early advantage, Argentina faced challenges in the second half. Austria managed a single meaningful chance in the 55th minute, when Marko Arnautović took a free kick that narrowly missed the target. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made his debut save of the tournament, stopping the shot with precision. This moment highlighted the importance of Argentina’s defensive line, which remained resolute throughout the match despite Austria’s efforts to create opportunities.

The game saw some tense moments, particularly in the 75th minute, when a minor altercation occurred along the touchline between players from both teams. Austrian midfielder Christoph Laimer was fouled by Argentine forward Alexis Mac Allister, leading to yellow cards for both players. However, this incident did little to disrupt the flow of the match, as neither team could capitalize on the resulting stoppage time.

Argentina’s dominance was further underscored in the added time of the second half. In the 95th minute, Messi once again demonstrated his ability to change the course of a game. With a swift movement through the midfield, he found space to shoot from outside the box, scoring his second goal of the match. This strike sealed the result and ensured Argentina’s comfortable 2-0 victory.

Messi’s performance was remarkable, even though he didn’t dominate the game in the same way as during his match against Algeria. His two goals were enough to secure the win, and they placed him at the forefront of the World Cup’s top scorers list. This achievement was all the more impressive given that Messi had earlier missed a penalty kick in the opening minutes of the match. The miss was a rare misstep for the usually reliable forward, who had previously scored 16 goals in World Cup tournaments before this one.

The match also saw Austria struggle to create consistent chances. Despite having one notable opportunity in the second half, they failed to convert it, highlighting the effectiveness of Argentina’s defensive strategy. The Austrian team will need to improve significantly if they hope to advance from Group J, as they now face an uphill battle against a formidable Argentina squad.

With this win, Argentina has already secured its place in the knockout stages of the tournament, showcasing the strength and depth of their squad. Messi’s contributions continue to be pivotal, reinforcing his status as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. As the World Cup progresses, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how Argentina performs in the coming rounds, with Messi likely to remain at the heart of their success.