Argentina vs Austria Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi brace seals Round of 32 spot for La Albiceleste

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Here comes the full-time whistle and Lionel Messi is single-handedly helping Argentina move ahead in this World Cup at a rapid pace. Two strikes tonight which take his tally to five goals in two games so far. What a star. Argentina also have sealed their place in the Round of 32 with this victory.

90+5′ There is no stopping this great man at this World Cup. Yet again he was in the right place at the right time as he collects the rebound and fires the ball into the net for his fifth goal of this edition.

90+1′ Lionel Messi launches the free kick but he cannot find a teammate and Austria defenders head the ball away. Meanwhile, five minutes of stoppage time added.

87′ Patrick Wimmer had gone past everyone in the Argentinian defence and just when the fans could hope for something special, the offside flag has been raised.

81′ Emiliano Martinez is quick to avert any danger. Austria send a cross into the box but Martinez comes ahead and collects the ball.

Argentina have taken six shots so far in this game with two of them on target. Austria, on the other hand, have taken five shots but only has been on target.

72′ Really close this. Messi delivers a good corner into the box and Argentina manage a shot towards the goal post but it is just a little wide of the right post.

The second and final hydration break is over and we are ready for about 30 minutes of football that is left in this game now.

ARG 1-0 AUT

65′ Messi fires a shot towards the goal but it is not on target. The ball just keeps drifting away from the goal. No trouble for Austrian goalkeeper.

61′ Enzo Fernandes tries to find the net but his shot is easily blocked by an Austrian defender. Argentina continue to lead 1-0.

55′ Sabitzer has been denied by a brilliant dive from Emiliano Martinez. It was a free kick for Austria and Sabitzer was in a good position to take a shot but his powerful volley has been saved.

53′ It is a free kick for Argentina and Messi takes it. He floats the ball into the box but Austria manage to clear it without much danger.

46′ That’s a lucky clearance for Argentina. Austria had a good chance here and Sabitzer’s shot also seemed to be headed towards the target if it was not inadvertently blocked. Austria throw an early punch in second half.

It has been a close game in the first half even though Argentina have a 1-0 lead. Austria have also impressed and if they up their attacking game slightly, they could equalise here.

First half is done and we go into the break with Argentina leading 1-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi strike. In the stoppage time, they largely controlled the ball but could not quite make a serious attack.

17 – Lionel Messi (ARG)
16 – Miroslav Klose (GER)
15 – Ronaldo (BRA)
14 – Kylian Mbappé (FRA)
14 – Gerd Müller (GER

Messi’s record-breaking goal:

39′ MESSI MAGIC CONTINUES… Fourth goal of the World Cup for the Argentine great and this makes him the highest individual goalscorer in the history of the tournament. GOAT for a reason!

ARG 1-0 AUT

Messi’s unwanted record:

32′ A couple of big opportunities for Argentina. Messi delivers a good through ball for Fernandez whose shot cannot beat the Austrian goalkeeper. Messi reacts quickly to take the rebound but even he cannot breach the Austrian defence.

Play has resumed after the first hydration break of this match. Lionel Messi missing the penalty has been the headline so far as both teams are still searching for the first goal.

23′ What a block here! Argentina survive a scare. Austria found some space in the box and that was a very powerful shot which has been blocked. A corner for Austria.

19′ Lautaro Martinez tries to deliver a through ball for Lionel Messi inside the box but Austrian defence is alert here and the ball has been intercepted.

Messi’s uncharacteristic miss:

14′ Since forcing that missed penalty, Austria have taken some confidence and are controlling the ball consistently for the past few minutes. Argentinian defence is organised enough to not let any threat come in so far.

9′ Messi has missed! This does not happen often but this time Messi’s spot kick just goes narrowly wide of the right post. Not his best effort and that means all that drama accounts for nothing.

ARG 0-0 AUT

5′ PENALTY AWARDED… Argentina have got the penalty. There were two challenges from Austria on that ball and one of them has tripped the player. Massive moment coming up.

4′ Argentina want a penalty here but the referee is not interested. Lautaro Martinez went down inside the box but the challenge from Austria has been deemed fair.

2′ Argentina enter the penalty area early on but it has been called offside. A promising run from Almada derailed by the referee’s call.