Inter Miami pair pivotal as Argentina target key World Cup defence step | OneFootball

According to interheron.com, Argentina can take a major step towards defending their World Cup today against Austria in Dallas, with Inter Miami team-mates Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul central to the charge.

Only Italy and Brazil have retained the title, in 1934 and 1938, and 1958 and 1962. Both opened Group J with wins, Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, Messi hit a hat-trick, and Austria overcame Jordan 3-1. The winner secures a Round of 32 place.

Messi, who turns 39, led the 2022 triumph with seven goals and is the only player to win two Golden Balls.

He joined Inter Miami in 2023 and has since won back-to-back MLS MVP awards, leading the Herons to the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and 2025 MLS Cup.

Doubts over his international future faded as he helped win CONMEBOL 2024 and excelled against Algeria. This is his sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa.

That treble took him to 16 World Cup goals, level with Miroslav Klose. With at least two matches to come, it seems impossible that he will not become the tournament’s leading scorer.

De Paul, seen as Messi’s on-field protector after the 2021 Copa América, joined Inter Miami from Atlético Madrid last summer. They combined for the opener v Algeria and topped FotMob’s ratings, Messi 9.7, De Paul 8.1.

Ralf Rangnick’s Austria favour a high press on their World Cup return after 1998. Key players include co-captains David Alaba and Marko Arnautović, and Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer.

Argentina finish Group J against Jordan at 9 p.m. CDT on 27 June, also in Dallas.

Source: interheron.com