Argentina vs Austria Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Lionel Scaloni and his Argentina side began the defence of their FIFA World Cup with an emphatic victory in their opener as they now take on an Austria side that also came out on top.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Argentina preview: Impressive Messi
Lionel Messi was again showcased his abilities as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport, if not the best. He produced yet another iconic display as he scored his first ever hat-trick as Argentina hammered Algeria by three goals to nil in Kansas City.
With the two sides exchanging narrowly disallowed goals early on, one of which being scored by Messi, the Inter Miami forward opened the scoring from long range before being fairly fortunate to avoid a red card for a challenge on Aissa Mandi. He then doubled his tally when slotting in after Luca Zidane had parried out before a trademark Messi goal from the edge of the box and into the bottom corner completed the rout.
Austria preview: Hard-fought but comfortable
Having returned to a FIFA World Cup for the first time this century, Austria now come into this one on the back of a victory against debutants Jordan to mean that, should they spring a surprise against the reigning world and double South American champions, then they will be assured of knockout football.
The Austrians weren't overly convincing against Jordan the other day, though. Romano Schmid gave them a narrow lead at the break before Ali Olwan equalised for the Jordanians with an excellent strike. Austria did manage to ease their way to a 3-1 win, though, with a Yazan Al Arab own goal and a Marko Arnautovic penalty.
Argentina team news: Lisandro & Lautaro got the nod
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Surprisingly, it was Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez who got the nod to start alongside Cristian Romero at centre-back, ahead of Benfica captain Nicolas Otamendi.
It was also a big surprise that Julian Alvarez was left out of the eleven after an underwhelming season at Atletico Madrid, with Lautaro Martinez starting, with Thiago Almada preferred ahead of the likes of Nico Paz.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): E. Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, La. Martinez
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Austria team news: The gap up-front
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
Crvena Zvevzda striker Marko Arnautovic, Austria's all-time top scorer, replaced Sasa Kalajdzic at half-time of their clash with Jordan and it could well be that the veteran forward starts this time around, albeit a lot of work will be required.
Christoph Baumgartner was the key man in the build-up to the tournament but the RB Leipzig withdrew before the start and now Werder Bremen attacker Romano Schmid is taking on a lot of the attacking burden in the final third.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): A. Schlager; Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, X. Schlager; Schmid, Laimer, Sabitzer Arnautovic
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Argentina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Emiliano Martinez ($5.0m) – Goalkeeper
Lisandro Martinez ($4.6m) – Defender
Lionel Messi ($10.0m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Julian Alvarez
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Free kicks: Lionel Messi
Corners: Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul
Austria’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Philipp Lienhart ($4.3m) – Defender
Marcel Sabitzer ($6.8m) – Midfielder
Marko Arnautovic ($6.0m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Marcel Sabitzer
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer
Free kicks: Marcel Sabitzer
Corners: David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer
Key stats
- The only previous matches between the sides were two friendlies in Vienna, Argentina winning 5-1 in May 1980 (in which Diego Maradona scored his only international hat-trick) and drawing 1-1 in May 1990.
- This is Argentina’s 60th FIFA World Cup match against a European team – their record stands at P59 W24 D16 L19.
- Argentina have not been losing at half-time in a FIFA World Cup match since the 2010 round of 16 clash against Germany (0-1 HT and 0-4 FT). They have played 19 fixtures in the competition since then.
- Lionel Messi became the joint-top scorer in FIFA World Cup history with his hat-trick goal against Algeria moving him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals.
- Lionel Messi has opened the scoring in six of Argentina’s last eight FIFA World Cup fixtures.
- Lionel Messi has found the net in five successive World Cup matches for the first time and is the first Argentine to achieve that feat. The only players to have scored in six appearances in a row are Just Fontaine (France, 1958) and Jairzinho (Brazil, 1970)
- Austria’s record in FIFA World Cup matches against South American teams is W2 D1 L2.
- None of Austria’s 30 encounters at the FIFA World Cup have finished goalless.
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Argentina vs Austria prediction
Argentina have an excellent side and are a well grooved outfit under Lionel Scaloni. Having underperformed throughout the era of the great Messi, the Argentinians have found a way that effectively builds their team and attack around their star man, who can now fairly be described as a veteran.
Austria have a very good side with a lot of experience and their own tactical identity that has been implemented by Ralf Rangnick, inspired by the naturally aggressive pressing style that they have been brought up on in Austria and Germany. That can also lead itself to detailed and efficient man-marking jobs and Rangnick will be expected to come up with something unique to limit Messi, while remaining a threat on the counter-attack. Argentina have to remain firm favourites for this one, though, although it may not be too straightforward.
Argentina vs Austria betting tip: Argentina to win & both teams to score
