Messi brace downs Austria, sends Argentina to knockout stage
The victory moved Argentina to six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the Round of 32 from Group J.
Lionel Messi scored a brace today (23 June) as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 in their second Group J match of the Fifa World Cup 2026, securing qualification for the knockout stage with a game to spare.
The 38-year-old captain broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, finishing off a well-worked move after earlier missing a penalty. He then sealed the victory deep into stoppage time with the second goal of the night.
The victory moved Argentina to six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the Round of 32 from Group J. Austria remain on three points ahead of their final group-stage fixture.
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Argentina will face Jordan in their last group match on 27 June, while Austria take on Algeria in a crucial encounter that could determine qualification to the knockout rounds.
Messi's brace took his World Cup tally to 18 goals, making him the tournament's all-time leading scorer ahead of Germany's Miroslav Klose.
He also moved top of this year's Golden Boot standings, having scored a hat-trick in Argentina's opening 3-0 win over Algeria.
According to FIFA, Messi joined Just Fontaine and Jairzinho as the only players to score in six consecutive World Cup matches.
