Former France striker Olivier Giroud on the BBC
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“Lionel Messi has got the players around him just looking for him. They play for him and that is a huge honour for them. They have so much respect for him, it is such a privilege for them to play with him. They are ready to die on the pitch for him and give everything to get another World Cup back-to-back. He is more decisive than ever.
“Messi is getting better and better with age. Five goals for Argentina in two games, the only scorer. He is always in the right place at the right time. He is in the middle to create and dictate the game.”
Group J fixtures
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June 17:
Argentina 3 Algeria 0 (Kansas City)
Austria 3 Jordan 1 (Santa Clara)
Today:
Argentina 2 Austria 0 (Dallas)
June 23:
Jordan vs Algeria (Santa Clara)
June 28:
Jordan vs Argentina (Dallas)
Algeria vs Austria (Kansas City)
Today’s games
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Group G:
New Zealand 1 Egypt 3
Group I:
France vs Iraq 10pm
Group J:
Argentina 2 Austria 0
FT stats
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Possession: Argentina 54%-46% Austria
Shots: 12-6
Shots on target: 5-1
Corners: 1-3
Touches in opposition box: 18-18
Full time
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Messi has a shot at a hat-trick with a free-kick from a long way out. He is not far away but his effort goes just wide.
Then comes the final whistle and Argentina make it two wins from two. Messi scored a hat-trick in their first game and adds two more to his tally today, on the day he made World Cup history.
GOAL! Messi at the double
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The history maker seals the victory and all three points for Argentina, who have scored five goals at this tournament thus far and all five have been scored by Messi. Alvarez probably should score moments before but he is denied. Then Messi has a shot blocked, before the ball comes back to him and then fires into the net.
90+3 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Time is running out for Austria to find an equaliser but they do have a free-kick inside the Argentine half, which could be their final opportunity.
Sabitzer takes and finds the head of Danso, who heads back across goal. Wimmer gets to it first but his header goes wide of the far post. That was a decent chance.
90+2 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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There is a late yellow card given to Paredes for a foul on Chukwuemeka around the centre circle.
90 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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The answer is there will be five minutes of added time.
89 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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How many added minutes are we going to get? My guess would be five, maybe six.
87 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Danso makes a crucial block to deny N Gonzalez inside the Austrian penalty area.
85 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Still just the one goal in this one so Austria are still in this game and there may be a few nerves creeping in now for Argentina.
Austria are going to make their final substitution as former Aston Villa and Chelsea man Chukwuemeka is coming on.
82 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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A long ball is played up to Gregoritsch, who brings it down well and then tries to play a ball forward into the Argentina box to find Wimmer. The ball is cleared away for a corner. Before that is taken, Argentina bring on Paredes and Tagliafico.
N Gonzalez then heads away the Austria corner.
79 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Change for Austria as Wimmer replaces Schmid, who did score Austria’s first goal against Jordan in their first game.
78 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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A full house of 70,649 announced as the attendance today - all lucky enough to witness a piece of World Cup history today. But is there another goal in this match?
76 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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It has been a little bit since the last time the sides came to blows but tensions boil over once more. Laimer is penalised for a foul on N Gonzalez before Medina then steps in to have a confrontation with Laimer, pushing him to the ground. Before Medina and Laimer are booked for their troubles.
73 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Big chance for a second for Argentina. Messi’s outswinging corner from the left picks out N Gonzalez at the near post but his flicked header goes wide of the far post.
71 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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At least during the hydration break the fans were kept entertained by Macarena, the 1993 hit by Los Del Rio.
Shakira then appears back on the big screen!
69 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Time for the hydration break which, like in the first half, is met with boos.
68 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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That was a decent chance for Austria. Sabitzer sends in a good cross from the left side of the box and Gregoritsch wins the header above Medina but cannot guide the effort on target. Gregoritsch should probably be hitting the target there.
Austria are now going to make a triple change as Friedl, Prass and Arnautovic come on. Their captain Alaba is one of the three to head off.
65 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Messi has a shot from the edge of the box but drags his effort. It looked to be going wide anyway but the Austria keeper A Schlager appeared to get a touch on it. However, a goal kick is mistakenly given.
64 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Argentina are making a double substitution as Alvarez and N Gonzalez replace La Martinez and Almada.
61 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Almada drives towards the Austria box and flicks it back into the path of Fernandez, who runs onto it and fires towards goal but his effort is blocked by Danso.
60 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Austria have been solid in this match but really not offered much at all in the final third. They need more creativity and players making runs in behind.
The small section of Austrian fans are making their voices heard this second half, which is impressive considering how outnumbered they are - they want to see more from their team going forward.
57 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Argentina are going to make their first change of the game as Otamendi is replacing Romero, who had been struggling for a bit with what appeared to be a knock to his knee.
The Dallas Stadium crowd goes wild as Shakira is shown on the big screen.
55 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Laimer is brought down just outside the Argentina box by Romero and Austria have a free-kick in a very dangerous area. Presumably it will be a shot rather than a cross. Sabitzer, on his 100th Austrian appearance, is lining this one up.
Sabitzer does take and strikes it well, forcing Martinez into a decent save that he should be making.
Emi Martinez called into action for the first time as he palms away a free kick from Marcel Sabitzer - Austria’s first shot on target of the match. They’ll need to be a bit more creative here if they want to get something in this Group J clash.
50 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Messi has another glorious opportunity to score as he is played through on goal but the ball is taken off him at the final moment inside the Austrian box. The offside flag then goes up, which Messi is not surprised about, and the replays explain why as he was miles off. Why did the linesman not put his flag up immediately; he was so clearly offside.
47 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Austria have started positively after the break but thus far in the game have not really troubled E Martinez’s goal.
Argentina definitely not at their best that first half, but they found a way to break the deadlock…through none other than their main main. But with only one goal in it Austria will still feel like they can get something here. But they have work to do and they’ll need to focus more on their own game this second half.
Second half
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We are back under way in Dallas. Argentina are 45 minutes away from making it two wins from two.
No changes for either side at the break.
Penalty or no penalty?
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There are some mixed opinions in the BBC studio on the penalty Argentina were given. Unsurprisingly as a striker, Olivier Giroud thinks it was but Cesar Azpilicueta was not sure there was enough evidence for VAR to get involved, indicating he was surprised at the decision to overturn the original call.
Lionel Messi has now missed three of his seven penalties for Argentina at the World Cup, not including shootouts.
HT stats
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Possession: Argentina 60%-40% Austria
Shots: 3-2
Shots on target: 2-0
Corners: 0-2
Touches in opposition box: 8-9
Half-time
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Argentina are content to see out the half by passing the ball around and just maintaining possession.
The first half is brought to an end and Argentina lead 1-0 at the break thanks to that historic Messi goal.
45+5 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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The Argentine fans inside Dallas Stadium are certainly making themselves heard and there are plenty of them.
45+2 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Laimer is not happy. La Martinez clearly gives him a cynical kick into the back of Laimer’s legs. Considering the yellow card Posch got earlier, that was a clear booking for La Martinez. Austria probably feel they have not got the rub of the green with the referee so far and understandably so.
40 mins: Argentina 1 Austria 0
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Tensions have threatened to boil over and it is simmering inside Dallas Stadium. Posch is booked for a challenge on Almada, who made sure he made the most of the contact. He held his face like had been punched and exaggeration is an understatement. That is not a yellow card and somehow none of the Argentine players are booked in the aftermath.
GOAL! Messi makes World Cup history
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The 38-year-old failed to take his opportunity from 12 yards out earlier but he has another slice of history in his career. It is a clinical finish from Messi as he passes Klose as the the top scorer in World Cup history.
The cross is sent in from the left and Almada cleverly dummies it inside the Austrian penalty area. The ball then comes to Messi, who calmly first time slots into the bottom left corner. How many times have we seen Messi score a goal like that in his career? Plenty to choose from! Messi gets an early birthday present two days out from his 39th birthday.
Wow I have never heard noise like it! What an incredible moment as Messi breaks Miroslav Klose’s record by slotting home to give Argentina the lead. The Argentina party has well and truly started and the fans are raising the roof of this enclosed stadium!
37 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Gregoritsch goes down after an aerial challenge with Romero and stays down. Argentina refuse to kick the ball out but nothing comes of it. Replays show that Romero did hit Gregoritsch’s head with his arm and it should have been a foul.
Then, moments later, the two come to blows again as Romero felt he was fouled by Gregoritsch. That is definitely a tussle to keep an eye on; you would not be surprised if Romero loses his head.
31 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Messi plays a lovely first-time ball into the Austria penalty area looking to pick out the run of Fernandez but the Austrian keeper A Schlager is out of his goal. However, A Schlager makes a mess of it and fails to gather. The ball comes back out to Messi, whose shot looked to be going on target but is blocked by Alaba.
28 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Austria work it really well down their left and Laimer wins them a corner off Molina. La Martinez, as he did a few minutes ago, is on hand to head away at the near post.
23 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Austria have the first corner of the game after Romero blocked Sabitzer’s shot. Sabitzer then takes the corner from the left but it is well headed away by La Martinez.
Time for the hydration break.
The customary boos ring out for the hydration break as the crowd are treated to the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders doing a performance on the massive screen in the stadium. Welcome to the USA!
21 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Did the occasion get to him? Did he want a better goal to break the record? Who knows - but it was such a poor penalty from a player who has netted from the spot so many times. The adoring crowd thought they were about to witness history - but it still might come here in Dallas.
The penalty miss has woken Austria up, who are showing some intensity now.
19 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Messi has another good chance to make history but cannot capitalise. The ball falls to him and he cuts inside onto his right inside the Austrian penalty area. Just as he is about to shoot, the ball is taken off him by Alaba but that forces the Austrian keeper A Schlager into a decent reflex save. Could Messi have shot earlier? He perhaps should have done before cutting inside Laimer, only to have it taken away by Alaba.
17 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Austria are growing into this game and posing a threat going forward. Their press has also worked to decent effect thus far.
14 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Austria have a free-kick in a dangerous position as Mac Allister fouls Wanner. It is just outside the Argentina penalty area on the left, with both Sabitzer and Wanner standing over it. Sabitzer takes but the delivery is poor, easily blocked by Mac Allister at the front post.
MISSED PENALTY! Messi wastes opportunity at history
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That feels like karma and justice is done. Messi is 12 yards away from World Cup history but misses the target. The Austria keeper guessed the right way and could well have saved it even if Messi had hit the target.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 22, 2026MESSI MISSES! 😮
The Argentina captain doesn't convert an early opportunity to become the all-time top World Cup scorer from the spot! pic.twitter.com/TCf0LqQMc4
Chants of Messi Messi Messi as the penalty is awarded - but he misses the target and his opportunity to become the World Cup’s highest ever goal scorer. Nobody saw that coming! The crowd continue chanting his name - they have the belief that he, and Argentina, will have more opportunities here.
PENALTY ARGENTINA!
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Posch is the one penalised and Argentina are given the penalty. And guess what, Messi is now going to step up in an attempt to make history. I think you know what I mean by that feeling off...
6 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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The Argentina players and fans are pleading for a penalty. It is a well-worked move from Argentina and the ball is fed through to La Martinez just outside the box. La Martinez takes one touch to take him into the Austria box but is at the centre of an Austrian sandwich between X Schlager and Posch. The Austrian players probably get just enough of the ball to make it not a penalty. La Martinez stayed down for a while but is now back to his feet.
Just as we thought we were about to resume, VAR is still checking for a possible penalty. I am not sure you can overturn the original decision and it is taking an absolute age this VAR check. That tells you everything really.
They spend not far off three minutes looking and the referee is sent to the screen. I do not like that one bit; it smells off if you ask me.
Deafening Boos and whistles ringing out around the stadium - the Argentina fans wanted a penalty there. And a huge cheer as the crowd are alerted a VAR check is taking place.
3 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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Austria right-back Posch was a major doubt for this game having broken his jaw in their win over Jordan but remarkably is fit to play.
2 mins: Argentina 0 Austria 0
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It is a special day for Austria’s Sabitzer, who earns his 100th cap for his country today.
Kick-off
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We are under way in Dallas. Will Lionel Messi make World Cup history today, 40 years on from The Hand of God?
Reminder of the teams
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Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Musso, Senesi, Tagliafico, Montiel, Paredes, Barco, Alvarez, Lo Celso, Rulli, Palacios, Gonzalez, Simeone, Paz, Otamendi, Lopez.
Austria: A.Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba, Laimer; Seiwald, X.Schlager; Schmid, Sabitzer, Wanner; Gregoritsch.
Substitutes: Affengruber, Arnautovic, Grillitsch, Wiegele, Pentz, Kalajdzic, Lienhart, Mwene, Chukwuemeka, Ljubicic, Wimmer, Prass, Friedl, Svoboda, Schopf.
Anthem time
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Outside Dallas Stadium, it is already over 30 degrees but inside the air conditioning is on!
Both sides emerge, with some fans getting so close to the players inside the tunnel. The Argentina players were waiting a little while before the Austrian team emerged. Early mind games?
It is now time for the national anthems. Argentina’s Himno Nacional Argentino followed by Austria’s Bundeshymne der Republik Österreich. It is safe to say the Argentine anthem is a little more stirring than Austria’s.
The anticipation in this stadium is more than I’ve felt in the tournament so far…everyone knows they are about to see a legend take centre stage in Dallas
The white and blue stripes far outnumbering the Austrian support as the champions prepare to come out.
Early birthday present
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Lionel Messi turns 39 on Wednesday and could today become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Unsurprisingly, his face is all over the big screens inside Dallas Stadium. It features four high-definition video screens suspended over the field and cost $40 million to build. The colossal display weighs 600 tonnes.
Most of the focus on one man...
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The loudest roar as Messi leads his side out for the warm up. Can he become the World Cup’s all time leading goalscorer today? After his hat trick against Algeria, just one goal will do it.
Form coming into this game
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Argentina:
Argentina 3 Algeria 0 (World Cup)
Argentina 3 Iceland 0 (Friendly)
Argentina 2 Honduras 0 (Friendly)
Argentina 5 Zambia 0 (Friendly)
Argentina 2 Mauritania 1 (Friendly)
Austria:
Austria 3 Jordan 1 (World Cup)
Austria 1 Tunisia 0 (Friendly)
Austria 1 South Korea 0 (Friendly)
Austria 5 Ghana 1 (Friendly)
Austria 1 Bosnia 1 (World Cup qualifier)
South Americans out in force!
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The sea of Argentina shirts is quite a sight here in Dallas - and they all have one familiar name on the back. Even the media box is overflowing with some of us sat in stadium seats…Messi fever is real!
Atmosphere building inside the stadium
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Austria fans enjoying themselves in Dallas
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Group J fixtures
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June 17:
Argentina 3 Algeria 0 (Kansas City)
Austria 3 Jordan 1 (Santa Clara)
Today:
Argentina vs Austria (Dallas)
June 23:
Jordan vs Algeria (Santa Clara)
June 28:
Jordan vs Argentina (Dallas)
Algeria vs Austria (Kansas City)
Teams in full
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Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Musso, Senesi, Tagliafico, Montiel, Paredes, Barco, Alvarez, Lo Celso, Rulli, Palacios, Gonzalez, Simeone, Paz, Otamendi, Lopez.
Austria: A.Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba, Laimer; Seiwald, X.Schlager; Schmid, Sabitzer, Wanner; Gregoritsch.
Substitutes: Affengruber, Arnautovic, Grillitsch, Wiegele, Pentz, Kalajdzic, Lienhart, Mwene, Chukwuemeka, Ljubicic, Wimmer, Prass, Friedl, Svoboda, Schopf.
On this day...
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— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 22, 202640 - Today marks 40 years since Argentina won 2-1 against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, with Diego Maradona scoring twice.
Maradona made 16 dribbles in that game - the most by a player in a World Cup match against England on record since 1966.
Handy. pic.twitter.com/jCeaa3hh2H
You can also take a read of Alan Tyers’ piece on The Hand of God as he rewatched the game.
Today’s games
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Group G:
New Zealand 1 Egypt 3
Group I:
France vs Iraq 10pm
Group J:
Argentina vs Austria 6pm
Could Messi make yet more history?
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Argentina continue their quest to win back-to-back World Cups as they take on Austria in Dallas on matchday two of the group stages.
Defending world champions Argentina began their campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City with Lionel Messi netting a hat-trick. Messi, who has made quite a habit throughout his illustrious career of breaking records, could make history today; with a goal against Austria he would become the all-time record scorer at the World Cup. He is currently tied with German Miroslav Klose on 16 goals.
“The team is in good shape and ready to take on tomorrow’s [today’s] match,” Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. “Austria are a tough opponent, with some very good players. They press well and had a great qualifying campaign. It will undoubtedly be a difficult match. There are no easy matches in this World Cup. From Qatar right up to today, the team’s performance has not dipped and they have always aimed to improve.”
They will qualify as winners of Group J if they beat Austria and Jordan do not beat Algeria Gonzalo Montiel is a doubt for Argentina having forced off at half-time of their win over Algeria due to a hamstring injury.
Austria, like Argentina, won their opening game of Group J, beating Jordan 3-1 in Santa Clara. They can top the group if they overcome Argentina and Algeria do not beat Jordan.
”Obviously they have the greatest player of all time, and tomorrow [today] we need to show that we are one of the best teams at this World Cup,” Austria boss Ralf Rangnick said. “That means we need to be very strong tactically, but also very courageous, and we need to bring a lot of energy. We may need to deliver the best performance my team has produced during my time in charge.
“But Argentina are more than just Lionel Messi. He is obviously a player who makes a huge difference, as he showed in their first match, but every single position in that team is outstanding. That is why, as a team, we have to perform at our very best.”
Austria could be without right-back Stefan Posch, who could miss out with a jaw injury.
Team news from Dallas to follow shortly.