Argentina vs Austria: Winners & losers - Messi makes World Cup history

In partnership with

GOAL

·22 Juni 2026

Argentina vs Austria: Winners & losers - Messi makes World Cup history

Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2–0 to secure their place in the World Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare. The captain's brace, including a stoppage-time strike, saw him become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Argentina v Austria.

Follow the latest World Cup News on Goal.com

Video OneFootball

Winners

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi delivered a match-defining performance, scoring both Argentina goals in a 2–0 victory that secured knockout-round qualification. His first-half strike from Facundo Medina's cross broke the deadlock, and his stoppage-time finish sealed the result.

The captain's mental resilience proved decisive after his 9th-minute penalty went wide of the right post. Rather than dwell on the miss, Messi responded with a first-time left-footed finish at the edge of the box in the 38th minute to beat Alexander Schlager.

His second goal arrived at 90+5' from a scramble inside the box, converting after Julián Álvarez's shot was saved. The brace took his World Cup tally to 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose as the competition's all-time leading scorer.

Alexander Schlager (Austria)

Alexander Schlager emerged as Austria's standout performer despite the defeat, producing a brilliant one-on-one save to deny Julián Álvarez at 90+5'. His diving stop from a left-footed shot appeared destined for the net before Messi converted the rebound.

Earlier in the contest, Schlager made a crucial save when David Alaba's attempted clearance deflected goalward following Messi's dribble in the 19th minute. He commanded his area confidently and showed vocal presence in attempting to unsettle Messi before the missed penalty.

Though unable to prevent Messi's goals—a precise first-time finish and a close-range rebound conversion—Schlager's performance limited a dominant Argentina. His saves ensured Austria remained competitive throughout and prevented a heavier margin of defeat.

Loser

Stefan Posch (Austria)

Stefan Posch endured a difficult evening at right-back, involved in the incident that led to Argentina's penalty in the 7th minute. His challenge alongside Xaver Schlager on Lautaro Martínez inside the box resulted in the VAR-confirmed spot-kick, though Messi missed.

Posch received a yellow card in the 40th minute for unsporting behaviour following a confrontation with Thiago Almada near the touchline. The booking compounded his struggles containing Argentina's left-sided attacks, where he offered limited defensive resistance throughout.

His performance deteriorated to the point where Ralf Rangnick withdrew him in the 68th minute for Alexander Prass. Posch's combination of defensive vulnerability, disciplinary issues, and early substitution made him Austria's clearest underperformer in the defeat.