Argentina wins thanks to Messi’s record goal – Austria’s national team fails to score
Austria’s national team suffered a 0:2 defeat to Argentina in their second group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas. The turning point came in the 39th minute when Lionel Messi finished a slick move involving Thiago Almada and Facundo Medina with a flat shot into the left corner. The goal broke the World Cup scoring record, moving Messi to 17 career World Cup goals and past Miroslav Klose’s previous mark. After the match, Klose sent his congratulations from afar: „Lionel Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest footballer of all time. Congratulations, champion.“ Austria fought hard but the Argentine defense held firm. Their last result was a 0:3 loss to Spain on July 2, 2026.
What happened on the pitch?
The game started at a high tempo, with Argentina quickly taking control. Austria’s national team, however, held firm and even created chances of their own. Messi missed a penalty in the 9th minute, but in the 39th minute he made no mistake. In the second half, Austria pushed forward but the Argentine backline remained solid. It wasn’t until stoppage time that Messi struck again to seal the win. Austria’s recent form is worrying: they’ve lost their last two matches and sit at 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses over their last five games.
Why the loss stings for Austria
The 0:2 defeat to Argentina highlights Austria’s current struggles. Despite battling hard, they lacked cutting edge in front of goal. With two straight losses, hopes of progressing at the 2026 World Cup are fading. The defense, marshaled by Facundo Medina and Thiago Almada, showed glimpses of quality but against a world-class side like Argentina featuring Messi, it often wasn’t enough. Fans are now looking for a swift response from the coaching staff.
What’s next for Austria?
Austria’s national team must regroup for their next fixture - a home match against Israel on September 24, 2026. Their last five games paint a patchy picture (1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses), but there’s still time to turn things around. Manager Franco Foda faces the tough task of shoring up the defense and sharpening the attack. Supporters are pinning their hopes on the upcoming qualifiers to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.
