Argentina failed to win their opening match at each of the last two World Cups — drawing 1-1 with Iceland in 2018 and losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in 2022 — yet reached the final in both tournaments and won the title in 2022.
Argentina2–0Austria
Stats
Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup on 13 career World Cup goals, three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. Kylian Mbappé starts on 12 goals and needs four to equal the record.
Lionel Messi has scored in six of Argentina's last seven World Cup matches.
Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (4W-2D) and having scored in each of those games.
Argentina have won their last 7 international matches, going 7W-0D-0L with 21 goals scored and 1 conceded.
Match Events
9'Lionel Messi
38'Lionel Messi
1–0
90+5'Lionel Messi
2–0
Lineups
Argentina
Austria
- 23Emiliano Martínez
- 6Lisandro Martínez↓65'
- 13Cristian Romero↓57'
- 25Facundo Medina↓82'
- 26Nahuel Molina
- 7Rodrigo De Paul↓82'
- 20Alexis Mac Allister
- 24Enzo Fernández
- 10Lionel Messi
- 16Thiago Almada↓64'
- 22Lautaro Martínez↓65'
- 1Alexander Schlager
- 3Kevin Danso
- 5Stefan Posch↓68'
- 8David Alaba↓67'
- 4Xaver Schlager
- 6Nicolas Seiwald
- 9Marcel Sabitzer
- 18Romano Schmid↓78'
- 20Konrad Laimer
- 24Paul Wanner↓68'
- 11Michael Gregoritsch↓85'
Substitutes
- 3Nicolás Tagliafico↑82'
- 19Nicolás Otamendi↑57'
- 5Leandro Paredes↑82'
- 15Nicolás González↑65'
- 9Julián Alvarez↑64'
- 23Marco Friedl↑67'
- 17Carney Chukwuemeka↑85'
- 22Alexander Prass↑68'
- 7Marko Arnautović↑68'
- 21Patrick Wimmer↑78'