Argentina earned a big 2-0 win over Austria, giving the team its second victory in Group J. They look solid early on in the World Cup, as Lionel Messi has been a man possessed throughout the tournament. He was the Man of the Match on Monday, as Messi recorded both goals for Argentina.

Thanks to Messi's brilliant play, Argentina has clinched its spot in the knockout stage, according to ESPN. The soon-to-be 39-year-old striker recorded his first goal at 35′, then clinched the win with a goal scored at 90+5′.

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Messi and Argentina dominated most of the match on Monday. They controlled the game throughout, as Austria didn't have nearly as many chances to score.  Argentina took 12 shots on goal (three on target) compared to Austria's six (one on target). Additionally, Argentina possessed the ball for 54% of the time in the contest, with Austria only possessing the ball for 46% of the time.

Lionel Messi's first goal of the match made him the highest-scoring individual in World Cup history. After his two goals, Messi has scored 18 goals in the World Cup, surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 16.

The nine-time Golden Boot Award winner has scored five total goals in the 2026 World Cup. He secured a hat-trick in the team's first game of the group stage in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria. Messi is the only player on his team who has scored any goals so far in the tournament.

Lionel Messi and his teammates will take on Jordan in their next matchup to end the group stage. That contest is scheduled on Saturday, June 27, at 10 p.m. EST.