The Argentina team sealed its place in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup after beating Austria in a match in which Lionel Messi went from initial frustration to being the great figure with a decisive double, despite having missed a penalty in the first minutes.

The match left a complete narrative: error, resilience and hierarchy of the Argentine captain to lead his team in a key duel of the group stage.

Messi misses a penalty at the start of the match

The match started with a decisive action. At minute 9, after a VAR review, the referee scored a penalty in favor of Argentina for a foul on Lautaro Martínez.

Lionel Messi took responsibility, but his shot went too close to the left post, missing the opportunity to open the scoring.

Far from affecting the team, the ruling did not change Argentina's position, which maintained control of the game against an Austria that was intense in its pressure.

Immediate reaction and leadership of Argentina

The response from the team led by Lionel Scaloni was solid. Argentina maintained possession at key moments and prevented Austria from imposing its physical rhythm.

With an orderly block and quick transitions, the Argentine team gained meters in the rival field until finding spaces to do damage.

Messi vindicates himself with a key double

At 39 years old, the '10' appeared again in decisive moments. First, he took advantage of an offensive action in which he came from the second line to define with precision inside the area.

The goal changed the course of the match and freed Argentina in the development of the game.

In the second half, Messi scored again after a collective play that sealed the match and secured the Albiceleste victory with a double that reaffirms him as the team's absolute leader.

Messi reaches 18 goals and becomes the historical leader in World Cups

Beyond the result, the match left a high-impact individual record: with his two goals against Austria, Lionel Messi reached 18 goals in World Cups.

With that number, the Argentine became the all-time top scorer in the World Cup, surpassing Miroslav Klose, who remained with 16 goals.

The record consolidates Messi as one of the most decisive players in the history of the tournament, achieving a mark that combines longevity, regularity and prominence in multiple World Cup editions.

Argentina advances to the round of sixteen with authority

With this victory, the Argentina team secured its classification to the round of 32 of the World Cup, consolidating itself as one of the most solid teams in the group stage, with a perfect pace and five goals in favor and zero against.

The result of the other match in Group J, between Jordan and Algeria, could decide the position of the albiceleste in the sector. If the Algerians win or draw tonight, Argentina will automatically have secured first place in the group; However, if Jordan wins, we will have to wait for the matchday 3 duels.