Lionel Messi chases more World Cup history as Argentina take on Austria in a potential Group J decider.
Messi moved level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading top scorer in tournament history with a hat-trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria, and will have the outright record in his sights. That 3-0 win represented an excellent start to the World Cup for the defending champions, who look well placed to challenge again for the trophy over the next few weeks.
Standing in their way today in Dallas are an Austria side who also began with a win over Jordan. It was an imperfect performance in many ways from Ralf Rangnick’s men, but even a draw here would be enough to all but book their place in the knockout rounds as the action intensifies. Can they deny Messi and co.?
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
Argentina vs Austria LIVE
- Argentina take on Austria in World Cup Group J | Live on BBC with kick off at 6pm BST
- Lionel Messi seeks World Cup scoring record after moving level with Miroslav Klose
- Messi's hat-trick helped defending champions to opening win over Algeria
- Austria also made winning start against Jordan
- Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, L Martinez, Almada.
- Austria XI: A Schlager; Laimer, Danso, Posch, Alaba; Seiwald, Sabitzer, X Schlager; Schmid, Gregoritsch, Wanner.
Is Klose's time at the top running out?
17:41 , Will Castle
Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record of 16 last time out with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria - and he’s showing no signs of slowing up.
The German’s time at the top could be entering its final minutes...
Ribs, rainstorms and Republicans: Two weeks inside America’s supersized World Cup
17:35 , Lawrence Ostlere
JFK museum in Dallas, and it turned out I was not the only one. It is on the sixth floor of the old Texas School Book Depository and if you haven’t been, it’s excellent, cleverly laid out so that the story builds towards the fatal shots and suddenly you realise you are standing a few feet away from where Lee Harvey Oswald pulled the trigger. Or where the CIA says he did [winks].
But I would be reading about JFK’s controversial appeasement of the communists when, out of the corner of my eye, I’d be distracted by a QPR shirt. I’d view the poignant photographs of Jacqueline Kennedy in the aftermath of her husband’s assassination and notice an early 2000s England kit with “Heskey” on the back. A man walked past draped in a St George’s Cross bearing the crest of Luton Town, which is off-putting when you’re trying to absorb one of the most significant moments in American history.
This is one of the unique joys of the World Cup, of course, when football fans from all over the world mingle in public spaces, crossing paths on their way in and out of a city. Fifa’s eye-watering ticket prices have not killed all the vibes. Croatia fans were chanting in the museum queue. Germans have been getting drunk in Toronto. Argentinians are partying in Kansas City.
Ribs, rainstorms and Republicans: Two weeks inside America’s supersized World Cup
Getting in the mood
17:30 , Will Castle
Messi makes his arrival
17:23 , Jack Rathborn at Dallas Stadium
Here he is! Messi, in formation, with the Argentine squad in orange bibs, waiting for the green light to rush out onto the pitch for their warm-ups.
Messi turns, mutters a few words to his team with his back to the pitch, then spins and sprints out to a crackle of applause.
No divide in the Argentine warm-up, either, a large circle with all 26 players limbering up.
Austria captain David Alaba explains how his side will combat Argentina
17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
David Alaba has faced Lionel Messi several times during the course of his career and knows the threat he and Argentina pose.
“We definitely watched their game before we left,” the Austria captain said.
“It’s incredible that Messi started such a tournament with a hat-trick. Absolutely insane… Let’s hope he doesn’t (do it) again…
“We know what kind of opponent we’re up against, what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi, but also what they’re capable of as a team.”
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
17:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The Dallas Stadium has very good air conditioning, of course, making the whole idea of a hydration break a little ridiculous. Lawrence Ostlere was strong on the matter at the start of the tournament.
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
Argentina analysing impact of hydration breaks
17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni offered an intriguing answer when asked about the hydration breaks at this World Cup yesterday, suggesting that he is trying to find a way of using them to his side’s advantage.
"Everything that I have in my mind can change depending on these 22, 23 minutes," Scaloni told reporters on Sunday of the disruption caused by the breaks. "We have people analysing the game and we look for solutions. It's what you do in a normal halftime.
"It's for those who want to attack because you can amend certain things. It's weird to adapt to that. It's something that, if we do it more, it will become normal. I don't think this is normal to us yet. We're trying to analyse things and correct things. Sometimes the match changes in the first period itself and you can amend certain things. I understand it will change."
Austria XI
16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It looks like a reshaped backline for Austria with Kevin Danso into the starting side.
Austria XI: A Schlager; Laimer, Danso, Posch, Alaba; Seiwald, Sabitzer, X Schlager; Schmid, Gregoritsch, Wanner.
Argentina fans building incredible atmosphere in Dallas
16:54 , Jack Rathborn at Dallas Stadium
The noise is deafening surrounding this spaceship-like stadium with Argentina fans flocking to this Arlington hub for the latest glimpse of Messi.
There’s pride in the No 19 jersey, as much as the No 10, a hint to the journey that continues, despite No 3 for Argentina in Qatar.
Inside the stadium, the concourse underneath the enormous glass windows has thousands of Argentine fans gathering, quite whether they return to their seats at kick-off is unclear, it’s a unique vantage point.
There is only a smattering of red in this stadium, with the Red Eagles contingent tucked away in the far corner in the third tier of this football cathedral, with soccer now experiencing the magic of what Jerry Jones built for his Cowboys.
Argentina XI
16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Nahuel Molina is brought into the backline for an otherwise unchanged Argentina.
Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, L Martinez, Almada.
Team news on the way...
16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We’re expecting team news from the Dallas Stadium at some point in the near future. Argentina are set to be without Gonzalo Montiel due to a hamstring complaint, but will there be any other changes?
Lionel Messi releases statement on father Jorge’s health and criticises media coverage
16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We must send well wishes to Lionel Messi’s father, with Jorge receiving treatment for a health issue. The family have understandably requested privacy.
Lionel Messi releases statement on father Jorge’s health and criticises media
Who will win the 2026 World Cup? Vote in our poll
16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
World Cup power rankings
16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There are a couple of World Cup contenders in action today, with France facing Iraq a little later. Where do Argentina sit in our tournament power rankings? Will Castle assesses the potential victors.
World Cup 2026 power rankings: England and France make statements after round one
The weak link theory that will decide who wins the World Cup
16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lionel Messi will draw inevitable focus today and throughout this tournament, but could a less heralded Argentina player actually be key to their chances? Richard Jolly weak link theory posits that it is the 11th name on the team sheet that is most important, rather than the first.
The weak link theory that will decide who wins the World Cup
World Cup 2026 fixtures, results and group tables
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Want to stay up to date on all the latest results, fixtures and group tables at this World Cup? We’ve got you covered.
World Cup 2026 fixtures, results and group tables
How Austria opened their campaign
15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Austria were also winners in their opening game of the tournament – though Ralf Rangnick may feel huge improvements are needed if they are to match Argentina today.
Austria win tense World Cup return against Jordan with late penalty and own goal
Lionel Messi explains why he was crying during World Cup hat-trick
15:25 , Luke Baker
Lionel Messi has revealed why he was crying during his brilliant hat-trick against Algeria that drew him level with Miroslav Klose atop the all-time World Cup goalscoring list.
Messi inspired Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria in their first match of World Cup 2026, netting a treble at the sport’s biggest tournament for the first time.
Lionel Messi explains why he was crying during World Cup hat-trick
The extraordinary numbers behind Lionel Messi – and the all-time World Cup record now in his grasp
15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Richard Jolly, meanwhile, profiles a player who may end this World Cup with a genuine claim to be the greatest in tournament history.
The extraordinary numbers behind Messi – and the World Cup record now in his grasp
Lionel Messi creates more history with Argentina after fabulous hat-trick reveals World Cup truth
15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
What did Lionel Messi’s hat-trick mean in the context of Argentina’s campaign? Jack Rathborn took a look:
Lionel Messi creates history with Argentina as hat-trick reveals World Cup truth
Lionel Messi equals World Cup top goalscorer record after stunning Argentina hat-trick
14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It was some start to a sixth World Cup for Lionel Messi as he moved level with Miroslav Klose after a hat-trick in Argentina’s opener.
Lionel Messi equals World Cup top goalscorer record after Argentina hat-trick
Argentina vs Austria LIVE
11:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Argentina and Austria resume their World Cup campaigns as two nations off to a winning start meet in Dallas (or Arlington, to be exact). Will it be history for Lionel Messi as he chases the tournament scoring record outright? Or can Austria deny the defending champions and book their place in the knockout rounds?
Kick off is at 6pm BST.
