Austria crashed to a 2-0 loss to Argentina in their Group J encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday as Lionel Messi bagged both the goals on the day.
Buoyed by a sensational hat-trick against Algeria on the opening day, Messi had the chance to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after Lautaro Martinez was brought down inside the area.
Strangely, the Inter Miami star contrived to fire it wide off target but made up for that soon after with a confident strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after 38 minutes for 1-0.
Facundo Medina came into possession on the left and laid a pass that Martinez dummied into an onrushing Messi's path for him to smash it home beyond goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
As expected, Argentina created the better chances on the day while Austria were lacking in the end product going forward and never seemed like they could score.
In stoppage-time, more misery was to follow Das Team as Messi bagged another one. His initial attempt from inside the box came off a defender but buried it on the rebound for 2-0.
Borussia Dortmund's Sabitzer starts again for Austria
Austria's midfield linchpin Marcel Sabitzer started again for his side but struggled to control the match against Argentina's dynamic and pacy midfield. Offensively though, he emerged as a potent threat, with a shot blocked and a free-kick saved. He was also the chief supplier of crosses with eight in the game but his passing was uncharacteristically sloppy on the day.
Chukwuemeka comes late on
Once again, Carney Chukwuemeka came off the bench for Austria. But while he had over half an hour to play against Jordan in their first game, the Borussia Dortmund starlet played for just 13 minutes here, a strange decision by Ralf Rangnick when Austria were desperately screaming for an attacking spark. With precious little time on his hands, the 22-year-old couldn't really influence the proceedings and was limited to a few passes.
Sabitzer and Chukwuemeka's knockout stage progression delayed
Having beaten Jordan in their opening game, Austria could have booked their place in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a win over Argentina. But it was always going to be a tall order for a side playing in the tournament for the first time since 1998.
The loss keeps them at three points in two but all's not lost yet as Austria can still qualify for the knockout stages of the competition with a draw against Algeria on the final. The match also promises an exciting face-off between Borussia Dortmund's Marcel Sabizter and Carney Chukwuemeka, against Ramy Bensebaini.
Add us as a preferred source on Google