Inter striker Lautaro Martinez leads the line with Lionel Messi as Argentina face Austria in the 2026 World Cup with a head-to-head for the top of Group J.It kicks off in Dallas at 18.00 UK time (19.00 CEST, 12.00 local time).This will be a head-to-head to see who wins the group, as Argentina opened with a 3-0 victory over Algeria thanks to the Messi hat-trick, while Austria pushed Jordan aside 3-1 in their first game.Whoever gets the three points today will practically book their place in the Round of 32.Inter captain Lautaro Martinez will be hoping for his first goal of the tournament, as he again partners Messi upfront in Lionel Scaloni’s side, with Como talent Nico Paz on the bench.The only change from the first game is ex-Udinese full-back Nahuel Molina in for Gonzalo Montiel.As they seek to retain the World Cup trophy, they also mark the 40th anniversary of Diego Armando Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.VIENNA, AUSTRIA – MARCH 27: Ralf Rangnick, head coach of Austria and Peter Schoettel, Sporting Director of Austria, ahead of an international friendly match between Austria and Ghana at Ernst Happel Stadion on March 27, 2026 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)Austria are safe in the knowledge they locked down coach Ralf Rangnick, who had been approached by Milan to take over as their new technical director.Instead, he signed a new contract and will remain in charge of their national team going forward.Ex-Inter striker Marko Arnautovic is still going strong at age 37, while Venezia defender Michael Svoboda recently earned promotion to Serie A.Both are on the bench, but Como-owned defender Stefan Posch starts.Argentina vs AustriaArgentina: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Almada; Messi, Lautaro MartinezAustria: A Schlager; Danso, Posch, Alaba; Laimer, Seiwald, X Schlager, Wanner; Sabitzer; Schmid, Gregoritsch
22-06-2026 18:00
Matchday 2
AT&T Stadium
Argentina
Austria
2 – 0
Player statistic
1st half
Lionel Messi
9′
Lionel Messi(Assist: Facundo Medina)
39′
40′
Stefan Posch
2nd half
Facundo Medina
76′
76′
Konrad Laimer
Leandro Paredes
90+2′
Lionel Messi
90+5′
Match statistic
54
Possession %
46
12
Total shots
6
5
Shots on target
1
4
Shots off target
5
3
Blocked shots
1
Corners
3
2
Offsides
13
Fouls
13
Argentina
Austria
Starting lineups
23
Emiliano Martínez
Goalkeeper
13
Cristian Romero
Defender
57′
25
Facundo Medina
Defender
6
Lisandro Martínez
Defender
26
Nahuel Molina
Defender
20
Alexis Mac Allister
Midfielder
24
Enzo Fernández
Midfielder
82′
7
Rodrigo de Paul
Midfielder
81′
16
Thiago Almada
Midfielder
64′
22
Lautaro Martínez
Attacker
64′
10
Lionel Messi
Attacker
1
Alexander Schlager
Goalkeeper
8
David Alaba
Defender
67′
3
Kevin Danso
Defender
5
Stefan Posch
Defender
68′
20
Konrad Laimer
Midfielder
9
Marcel Sabitzer
Midfielder
6
Nicolas Seiwald
Midfielder
24
Paul Wanner
Midfielder
68′
18
Romano Schmid
Midfielder
78′
4
Xaver Schlager
Midfielder
11
Michael Gregoritsch
Attacker
85′
Substitutes
1
Juan Musso
Goalkeeper
11
Giovani Lo Celso
Midfielder
14
Exequiel Palacios
Midfielder
12
Gerónimo Rulli
Goalkeeper
2
Marcos Senesi
Defender
4
Gonzalo Montiel
Defender
18
Nico Paz
Midfielder
17
Giuliano Simeone
Attacker
8
Valentín Barco
Defender
21
José Manuel López
Attacker
19
Nicolás Otamendi
Defender
57′
15
Nico González
Attacker
64′
9
Julián Álvarez
Attacker
64′
5
Leandro Paredes
Midfielder
81′
3
Nicolás Tagliafico
Defender
82′
25
Michael Svoboda
Defender
16
Phillipp Mwene
Defender
2
David Affengruber
Defender
26
Alessandro Schöpf
Midfielder
10
Florian Grillitsch
Midfielder
15
Philipp Lienhart
Defender
14
Sasa Kalajdzic
Attacker
19
Dejan Ljubicic
Midfielder
13
Patrick Pentz
Goalkeeper
12
Florian Wiegele
Goalkeeper
23
Marco Friedl
Defender
67′
7
Marko Arnautovic
Attacker
68′
22
Alexander Prass
Midfielder
68′
21
Patrick Wimmer
Attacker
78′
17
Carney Chukwuemeka
Midfielder
85′
