The Argentina team beat Austria 2-0 and won the qualification ticket to the next round of the 2026 World Cup. Messi scored a double, but Ralf Rangnick considers that the Argentine's first goal was illegal.

The Austrian coach pointed out a refereeing error in the Albiceleste's first goal. Messi scored a goal in the 38th minute of the game. This goal came from a recovery in the middle of the field by the Argentine team. However, Ralf Rangnick believes that there was a foul on Xaver Schlager.

"As for the first goal, I would have asked the fourth referee to do what he did before the penalty was taken: he should have observed and would have seen what everyone saw, a foul on (Xaver) Schlager (...) It was annoying. However, in general I am satisfied with my team and I approve of how they played today," said the Austrian team's strategist.

This goal was the one that allowed Messi to open the account in this duel and reach 17 goals in World Cups. This is a record that allowed him to surpass Miroslav Klose in the all-time World Cup table.

Messi makes the difference

Although Ralf Rangnick considers that he was affected in the match by the referee's decision, the Austrian strategist does not hide his praise for Lionel Messi's good performance. The Argentine footballer already has five goals in this World Cup.

"If someone is 39 years old and is capable of scoring two goals, and five in total, at the beginning of the World Cup, that makes the difference (...) We knew that he is in a league of his own and Lionel Messi has shown that he is one of the best, or even the best (...) But I think we participated in the second goal, that is our fault," he concluded.

This is how the 2026 World Cup is going