Messi, Argentina Beat Austria, Final Match Stats, Highlights & World Cup Group J Scenarios

Lionel Messi moved into sole possession of the all-time World Cup scoring lead Monday, netting his 17th and 18th career tournament goals as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in Group J play and clinched a spot in the Round of 32.

The Argentine star had an early chance to make history but pushed a penalty kick wide in the ninth minute, missing an opportunity to break the record. Messi responded before halftime, however, finding the back of the net to give Argentina a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

The goal extended Messi's World Cup record and provided the spark Argentina needed in a tightly contested matchup.

Group J Standings

1. Argentina - 6 points, 2-0 (+5 goal differential)
2. Austria - 3 points, 1-1 (0)
3. Jordan - 0 points, 0-1 (-2)
4. Algeria - 0 points, 0-1 (-3)

Match Stats

	Shots	Shots on Goal	Corners	Fouls
Argentina	12	4	1	13
Austria	6	1	3	13

Messi's fourth goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup came in the 38th minute when he finished a fast-break opportunity off an assist from Facundo Medina, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead.

The goal helped erase the disappointment of an early missed opportunity, as Messi failed to convert a penalty kick in the ninth minute.

Argentina's attack repeatedly threatened in the second half but was kept off the scoresheet until stoppage time.

Then Messi delivered the final blow.

The Argentine captain found the back of the net in the 95th minute, capping a dominant performance with his second goal of the match. The strike sealed a 2-0 victory and marked Messi's 18th career World Cup goal and fifth of the tournament.

Argentina entered Monday's matchup tied with Austria atop the Group J standings, with both teams carrying 1-0 records and three points. The victory pushed Argentina into sole possession of first place with six points and a perfect 2-0 mark through two matches.

Messi and Argentina opened World Cup play with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria on June 16. The 38-year-old accounted for all three goals, scoring once in the first half before adding two more after the break to secure the win and continue his torrid start to the tournament.

With the win on Monday Argentina advanced to the Round of 32 and will clinch Group J's top spot, facing the second place team in Group H, if Jordan loses or draws against Algeria later Monday. 

Meanwhile, Algeria faces elimination if it loses to Jordan, and if Austria earns at least a draw against Argentina.

Jordan faces elimination if it loses to Algeria, and if Argentina avoids a defeat against Algeria.

Argentina will face Jordan on June 27 in a Group J matchup scheduled for a 10 p.m. ET kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.