Argentina XI vs Austria: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for World Cup today | OneFootball

Lionel Messi eyeing World Cup history in latest Group J showdown in Dallas

Lionel Messi will look to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer when Argentina face Austria today.

A hat-trick against Algeria in the Group J opener in Kansas City last week took the football icon level with record holder Miroslav Klose of Germany on 16 finals goals.

Messi - who turns 39 on Wednesday - will look to make history when the World Cup holders meet Ralf Rangnick’s Austria in Dallas on Monday.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni will be forced into at least one change for the match.

Gonzalo Montiel, scorer of the winning penalty in the World Cup final against France in 2022, has been ruled out of the second group stage game through injury.

The right-back was forced off at half-time of the 3-0 win over Algeria with a hamstring issue and while it is not thought to be too serious, he is not expected to be risked in Texas.

As a result, Nahuel Molina is likely to get the nod and complete a defence that includes an all-Premier League centre-back pairing of Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez.

History-maker? Lionel Messi is now just one goal away from a new all-time World Cup finals record

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In midfield, Scaloni has the option of rewarding Nicolas Gonzalez with a start on the left-hand side after he came off the bench to claim an assist against Algeria.

If the Atletico Madrid winger does start, then Thiago Almada will make way for his club team-mate. Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez are all set to keep their places in the engine room.

It is between Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez as to who partners Messi in attack. The former got the nod against Algeria but struggled and was replaced 10 minutes into the second half.

Alvarez - linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain - does have previous in linking up well with Messi and therefore might get the chance to re-establish that connection to seal Argentina’s place in the round of 32.

Injured: Montiel

Time and date: 6pm BST on Monday June 22, 2026

How to watch: BBC