Lionel Messi is one goal away from becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer when Argentina take on Austria in their second Group J match at Dallas Stadium tonight. The 38-year-old, who turns 39 on Wednesday, is currently level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in the tournament opener.
Team news and injury update
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has made one enforced change to the side that beat Algeria 3-0. Right-back Gonzalo Montiel, who scored the winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup final against France, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained at half-time against Algeria. While the injury is not considered serious, he is not being risked. Nahuel Molina replaces Montiel in the starting lineup.
The defence features an all-Premier League centre-back pairing of Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez. Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez continue in midfield, while Thiago Almada keeps his place ahead of Nico Gonzalez.
Attack and key tactical decisions
In attack, Lautaro Martinez partners Messi despite struggling against Algeria, where he was substituted 10 minutes into the second half. Julian Alvarez, linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has previously formed a strong partnership with Messi but starts on the bench. Scaloni has opted for a 4-4-2 formation.
Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Gonzalez; Messi, Alvarez. Injured: Montiel.
The match kicks off at 6pm BST today, Monday June 22, 2026, at Dallas Stadium and will be broadcast on BBC.
