GOAL!!! Lionel Messi scores in the final minute of the match! After his first strike gets blocked, Messi receives the ball on the rebound and finds a way to score his second goal of the match. He moves to five goals in his second match in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This is an incredible start to the tournament from the Argentine legend

The regulation time ends and the referee has given five minutes of extra time. Can Austria equalise in the final five minutes? They are pressing really hard for the leveller.

Nicolas Gonzalez receives a brilliant pass close to the box and dribbles it before trying to smash in a fiery shot. He is blocked by a brave Austria defence. Enzo Fernandez gets the ball on the rebound but fails to get past the defensive wall.

Ralf Rangnick decides to make a substitution. He dends Carney Chukwuemeka in for Michael Gregoritsch.

We are into the final 10 minutes of regulation time. Austria continue to seek an equaliser and aim to press harder now. For Argentina, Leandro Paredes comes in for Rodrigo de Paul, while Nicolas Tagliafico replaces Facundo Medina.

Laimer (Austria) and Medina (Argentina) get a yellow card each. The Austria defender makes a poor tackle from behind, and Medina then indulges in a bit of pushing and shoving afterwards.

Argentina get a corner from the left flank, and Lionel Messi takes it. It is a really good ball curling into the box, and Nicolas Gonzalez does well to head it. However, it goes off the far post.

It's the the time for hydration break in the game. Argentina have failed to create a clear opportunity in the second half, while Austria missed a couple of good chances, which could have been really close.

Lionel Messi tries but fails to executive it properly. He couldn't get his shot right from the edge of the area while also trying to deceive a defender blocking his path. The ball goes away from the right post.

Julian Alvarez comes in for Thiago Almada. Lautaro Martinez also goes off as Lionel Scaloni gets Nicolas Gonzalez in.

This is a good run from Argentina into the box but Austria form a wall to defend the strike of Enzo Fernandez. Defender Kevin Danso takes the blow on his shoulder and he seeks medical attention right after the hit.

Austria get a free-kick as Cristian Gabriel Romero commits a foul. Marcel Sabitzer takes the strike from the edge of the box, but Martinez does a good job there to avert the potential threat. The shot was heading towards the top right corner, but the Argentine goalkeeper dives to save it.

Messi has been brought down around the attacking third. The referee awards a foul as the football veteran gets tackled by Austria player in a poor manner. He takes a free-kick and sends it into the box, but Argentina fail to capitalise on it.

Lionel Messi gets a pass close to the Austria box. He gets pushed by the defender before the linesman raises the flag, showing an offside.

The second half of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria begins! Argentina are 1-0 up. If they win this half, they will seal a spot for themselves in the Round of 32.

The referee blows the half-time whistle! Lionel Messi misses out on a penalty early on, but he makes up for it with a field goal, while also smashing the all-time record at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Though trailing by a goal, Austria have also fought well in the first half, threatening the Albiceleste on some occasions.

Argentina 1-0 Austria at half-time

An additional seven minutes have been given by the referee to conclude the first half. This comes minutes after Austria defender Stefan Posch, who is playing despite suffering a broken nose, receives a yellow card for his offence.

GOAL!!! LIONEL MESSI SCORES THIS TIME. HE SCRIPTS HISTORY! Messi now individually takes the top spot in the list of all-time goal-scorers in FIFA World Cup history. He now stands on top with the tally of 17, surpassing Miroslav Klose.

Coming to the goal, Facundo Medina taps it to a running Messi inside the box. The Argentine great beats the goalie to his right to take his side 1-0 up. 

Argentina 1-0 Austria

Lionel Messi sets an unwanted record for missing the most number of penalties at FIFA World Cup. The spot-kick he missed against Austria in this game was the third penalty miss of Messi's career (excluding shootouts) in the tournament, moving him clear of former Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, who missed two penalties during his appearances.

Argentina are pressing towards Austria's post now. On one occasion, Messi loses the ball, and on the second, he gets walled by Austria's defenders while trying to take a shot. He has been kept in check so far.

This match hangs in the balance. Austria have fought really well so far. They have been impressive in midfield; however, the side has struggled in the attacking third. Argentina, on the other hand, have looked quite a shadow of themselves.

18' - Another chance for Lionel Messi and he misses it again! The 38-year-old cuts down one defender in the box to take the ball on his right foot but fails to prevent a touch from another defender approaching him from back. The ball then hits the goalkeeper and goes out of the danger zone.

When the game started, Argentina looked in control, but Austria have made a noticeable comeback since Lionel Messi missed the penalty.

That is a poor tackle from Alexis Mac Allister and referee Amin Omar notes it. He declares it a foul and Austria get a free kick on the left flank. They, however, fail to treaten Argentina and the ball gets cleared.

Would you believe it? Lionel Messi has missed out on the penalty!!! He tries to smash it to the right side of the Austria goalie but ends up hitting it wide of the right post. A huge miss this is from the football great!

Huge moment in the game! Argentina have been awarded a penalty. Lionel Messi gets ready to take the strike from the spot.

Lautaro Martinez got tackled by two defenders inside Austria's box. It was a poor tackle, but the referee failed to spot it and kept play on. Martinez needs some medical treatment now. He is walking off the ground, it seems. Yes, he is!

The action is underway. Argentina get off to a defending start before making a chance through the left flank. Thiago Almada takes the final kick but hits it outside the bar. Linesman calls it offside. 

Argentina 0-0 Austria

The players of Argentina and Austria are entering the arena now. One can easily spot a calm and composed Lionel Messi in the line-up. We are roughly six minutes away from the start of the match. Don't go anywhere!

Austria defender Stefan Posch is playing this game against Argentina despite suffering a broken jaw during his team's win over Jordan in its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign opener. Posch had to go to Los Angeles twice to get fitted for a protective jaw brace that allows him to play despite the injury.

Nahuel Molina replaces Gonzalo Montiel at right-back! This is the only change for Argentina in their  starting XI. Montiel was suffering from a hamstring issue after his team registered a 3-0 win over Algeria last week.

Lionel Messi is just one shy from surpassing Diego Maradona for the record of most assists in FIFA World Cup history. Currently, both of them are tied at eight assists each.

Goalkeeper:

Emiliano Martinez

Defenders:

Lisandro Martinez
Cristian Romero
Facundo Medina
Nahuel Molina

Mid-fielders:

Rodrigo De Paul
Alexis Mac Allister
Enzo Fernandez

Forward:

Lionel Messi
Thiago Almada
Lautaro Martinez

Our Let's gooooooo! #GemeinsamSTERREICH #ATeamOneFamily #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/44yg02rBkU

— FB - oefb.at (@oefb1904) June 22, 2026

Austria defender Stefan Posch is available to play this game against defending champion Argentina after sustaining a broken jaw in his team's win to open this World Cup.

On the eve of the match, coach Ralf Rangnick said that Posch, who went through full training the day before the game, had to go to Los Angeles twice to get fitted for a protective jaw brace that will allow him to play despite the injury. Posch didn't need surgery.

Messi magic in Argentina's second group stage match in 2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/EjBmrVXA97

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 22, 2026

Argentina and Austria have met 6 times in senior men’s international football. The Albiceleste have won three matches, Austria have won two, while one encounter ended in a draw.

If Argentina beat Austria today, they will enter the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, as it will ensure the side a top-two finish in the Group J points table. Additionally, if Algeria end up picking at least one point against Jordan, the Albiceleste will top the group.

Austria, however, will arrive full of confidence after beginning their campaign with a 3-1 victory over World Cup debutants Jordan. While the scoreline suggested a comfortable evening, Ralf Rangnick's side had to work hard for the result and were tested throughout the encounter before eventually pulling away.

Argentina made a commanding start to their title defence with a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria. The reigning world champions displayed their trademark blend of control, creativity, and attacking quality, underlining why they remain among the favourites to lift the trophy once again. The match was also memorable for captain Lionel Messi, whose goal saw him draw level with Miroslav Klose among the highest scorers in FIFA World Cup history. Just one more goal, and Messi could take the top spot.

Hello everyone, welcome to the live blog of Argentina vs Austria FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J game. One of football greats, Lionel Messi, will be in action today. Stay connected for the live scores and udpates.