Argentina eyes World Cup knockout stage, Messi nears scoring record

Argentina can clinch a spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage with a victory over Austria on Tuesday. Lionel Messi, fresh off a hat-trick against Algeria, is poised to potentially break Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals. A win would advance La Albiceleste to the Round of 32, with even a draw likely securing their progression.

Coach Lionel Scaloni's team is on a strong winning streak, having secured eight consecutive victories. This impressive run includes six wins, one draw, and one loss in their last eight competitive matches. If they defeat Austria, Argentina will match their longest World Cup winning streak from 14 previous games.

Austria, meanwhile, secured a hard-fought 3-1 win against Jordan, with a late penalty sealing the victory. Coach Ralf Rangnick may have concerns about his team's defensive organization, as Jordan exploited gaps in their backline. However, Austria has a solid defensive record, conceding more than one goal in only one of their last 18 matches.

For Austria, reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 1982 would be a historic achievement. The team, known as Das Team, has also shown attacking prowess, scoring at least two goals in four of their last six competitive games. Their qualification would be a significant milestone, marking their best performance in decades.