Lionel Messi will look to become the World Cup's all-time leading scorer when Argentina face Austria in Dallas on Monday. A hat-trick against Algeria in the Group J opener took the football icon level with record holder Miroslav Klose on 16 finals goals.
Team News and Injury Update
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 2022 World Cup final against France, 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 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.
Midfield and Attack Options
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. 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, has previous in linking up well with Messi and might get the chance to re-establish that connection to seal Argentina's place in the round of 32.
Predicted Lineup and Match Details
Predicted Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Gonzalez; Messi, Alvarez.
Injured: Montiel. Time and date: 6pm BST on Monday June 22, 2026. Venue: Dallas Stadium. How to watch: BBC.
