Lionel Messi breaks record for most World Cup goals with Austria double Lionel Messi became the highest goal scorer in World Cup history on Monday, surpassing the previous record held by Miroslav Klose with a brace in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria. The match, played in Dallas, Texas, secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stage and marked Messi’s 18th career goal at the tournament, moving him past Klose’s previous total of 16. Messi’s performance included a missed penalty in the ninth minute, which briefly denied him the record, but he quickly rebounded with a curling finish in the 38th minute and a late second goal in the 89th minute. Messi’s 18th goal also surpassed the women’s World Cup record held by Marta, who has 17. Kylian Mbappé joined Klose on 16 goals earlier in the day with a double for France in a 3-0 win over Iraq. Messi’s achievement is notable as he continues to break records despite turning 39 on Wednesday and dealing with family health concerns, including his ailing father. The Argentina captain’s path to this milestone began with a hat trick in the team’s opening match against Algeria, which tied him with Klose. That goal tally, scored on June 16, 2022, marked the 11th of his international career and his first at a World Cup. Messi’s World Cup journey started in 2006, when he scored his first goal at 18 years old against Serbia and Montenegro. Since then, he has become the first player to feature in six different editions of the men’s World Cup. Messi’s goals against Austria also brought him closer to the all-time international goal record for Argentina, where he now sits at 122, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo’s 143.#lionel_messi #argentina #austria #thiago_almada #miroslav_klose
Argentina's Second FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Match Against Austria Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will face Austria in their second Group J fixture at Dallas Stadium on Monday, June 22, as the South American giants continue their quest for a second World Cup title. The match, set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, will be broadcast live in English on FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Peacock. Argentina enters the game with a 1-0-1 record, earning three points, while Austria holds the same tally after a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their Group J opener. Argentina’s campaign began with a 3-0 win over Algeria, where Messi delivered a historic performance. The Inter Miami CF captain scored a hat-trick, marking his first World Cup treble and extending his career total to 16 goals in the tournament—a tie with Miroslav Klose for the all-time record. Messi also became the first male player to compete in six FIFA World Cup editions, surpassing 200 caps for Argentina and solidifying his status as the nation’s most decorated player. De Paul, meanwhile, provided an assist in Argentina’s opening match, showcasing his role as a key playmaker alongside Messi. The match against Austria represents the first-ever meeting between the nations in a competitive tournament, following two friendly encounters in 1980 and 1990. Argentina claimed a 5-1 victory in Vienna in 1980 and drew 1-1 in 1990. This time, the stakes are higher, as a win would secure Argentina’s place in the Round of 32. Austria, however, will be buoyed by their Group J opener, where Romano Schmid opened the scoring before an own goal and a strike from Marko Arnautović sealed a 3-1 triumph over Jordan. Messi’s career with Argentina is defined by milestones.#lionel_messi #argentina #austria #dallas_stadium #rodrido_de_paul
Argentina v Austria World Cup 2026 Match Preview and Viewing Details Argentina will face Austria in a Group J clash on Monday, June 22, as the 2022 World Cup champions aim to advance to the knockout stages. The match is scheduled for a 6pm BST kick-off and will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with coverage beginning at 5:30pm BST. Argentina, the reigning World Cup winners, secured a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick to equal Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals in World Cup history. The 39-year-old forward, who turns 39 on June 24, will seek to surpass Klose’s record in this game. Austria, meanwhile, earned their first points in the tournament with a 3-1 win over Jordan, placing them second in Group J on three points. Argentina’s performance in their opener showcased their dominance, as they controlled the match from start to finish. Messi’s hat-trick highlighted his continued impact at the highest level, drawing attention to his potential to break the all-time scoring record. Austria’s victory over Jordan marked their debut in the tournament, with the team demonstrating resilience to secure a crucial result. Both teams currently lead Group J on goal difference, setting up a highly anticipated encounter. Key player updates have been announced ahead of the match. Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel is expected to miss the game as a precautionary measure after sustaining a hamstring injury during their opening match. He was substituted at halftime against Algeria. Lautaro Martinez, who struggled in the opener, was also replaced in the second half, raising questions about his role in the squad. Julian Alvarez is likely to start alongside Messi in attack.#bbc_one #lionel_messi #argentina #austria #group_j
Lionel Messi Leads Argentina in Crucial World Cup Group J Clash Against Austria Argentina’s Lionel Messi will face Austria in their second Group J match at the 2026 World Cup, a pivotal encounter that could determine their path to the knockout stages. The match, set for Monday at Dallas Stadium in Texas, will take place at 12pm local time (17:00 GMT). Argentina, the defending champions, enter the game with a strong record after a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match, while Austria, led by manager Ralf Rangnick, aim to challenge the South American giants. Messi, 38, delivered a standout performance in Argentina’s opener, scoring all three goals to complete a hat-trick and become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. His achievement, which occurred exactly 20 years after his World Cup debut, marked a historic moment for the Argentinian star. Despite his heroics, Algeria lodged a formal complaint with FIFA’s refereeing commission, alleging Messi should have been sent off for standing on the calf of their captain, Aissa Mandi. Austria, meanwhile, secured a dramatic 3-1 win over Jordan in their Group J opener, with veteran striker Marko Arnautovic netting a last-minute penalty to seal the victory. The European side, known for their organized pressing game, will look to disrupt Argentina’s rhythm and test the defending champions’ resilience. Captain David Alaba emphasized that Argentina’s strength extends beyond Messi, stating, “We know what kind of opponent we’re up against, what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi, but also what they’re capable of as a team.” Both teams are in strong form heading into the match.#lionel_messi #argentina #austria #ralf_rangnick #marko_arnautovic
Austria and Tunisia Set for Friendly Ahead of 2026 World Cup The international friendly between Austria and Tunisia is set for June 1, 2026, with the match kicking off at 2:45 PM local time. The game will serve as a final preparation opportunity for both teams ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Austria aiming to solidify their squad for Group J, which includes Jordan, Argentina, and Algeria. Tunisia, meanwhile, will use the match to fine-tune their approach for Group F, featuring Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Austria, making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, enters the friendly in strong form after back-to-back victories over Ghana and South Korea in March. The 1-0 win against South Korea, in particular, has provided momentum for Ralf Rangnick’s side as they prepare for the tournament. The team’s recent performance includes a 5-1 drubbing of Ghana and a 1-0 triumph over South Korea, with nine goals scored and four conceded in their last five matches. Their only defeat in that span came against Romania in World Cup qualifying. Tunisia, a seasoned international force in Africa, faces a mix of challenges as they aim to build confidence before the World Cup. The Eagles of Carthage, who have reached the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals in recent years, will look to bounce back from a 3-2 loss to Nigeria earlier in the year. Their recent form includes a goalless draw with Canada on April 1 and a 1-0 win over Haiti, though their World Cup preparation has been complicated by inconsistent results. The match will also mark a rare meeting between the two nations, as their only previous encounter was a 0-0 draw in a 2007 friendly. Both teams will be under scrutiny as they finalize their World Cup squads, with coaches prioritizing fitness assessments and standout performances.#tunisia #2026_world_cup #fifa_world_cup #austria #ralf_rangnick
Alex Manninger: Ex-Arsenal Goalkeeper Dies After Car Hit by Train Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic accident in Salzburg, Austria, where his car was struck by a train. The incident occurred on April 16, 2026, at approximately 08:20 local time (07:20 BST) at a level crossing. According to Salzburg police, first responders used a defibrillator on Manninger, who was alone in the vehicle, but could not revive him. The train driver was unharmed. Manninger, who played for Arsenal from 1997 to 2002, made 64 appearances for the club during his tenure. He was part of the team that won the Premier League and FA Cup during that period. However, he often played second fiddle to David Seaman, the England international goalkeeper, during his time at Highbury. Despite this, Manninger earned recognition for his performances, including a memorable FA Cup run in the 1997-98 season. He helped Arsenal defeat West Ham United on penalties in the sixth round of the FA Cup and delivered a standout display in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His efforts earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for March 1998. Before joining Arsenal, Manninger began his career with his hometown club, Red Bull Salzburg. Over the course of his professional career, he played for 14 teams across Europe, including Siena, Juventus, Udinese, and Augsburg. In 2016, at the age of 39, he signed a short-term deal with Liverpool but did not make a competitive appearance for the club. Manninger also represented Austria at the international level, earning 33 caps and becoming a key member of the squad that participated in Euro 2008 in his home country.#arsenal #austria #alex_manninger #salzburg #red_bull_salzburg
LIVESTREAMING: Austria vs Ghana (International Friendlies) The Ghana national team, the Black Stars, will face Austria in an international friendly on Friday, March 27, 2026, as head coach Otto Addo continues preparations for the 2026 World Cup. This match marks the second meeting between the two sides, following a 1-1 draw in 2007. The game will take place at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00 GMT. Live updates and coverage will be provided throughout the match. The Black Stars’ lineup for the encounter has seen several key players, including the decision to bench Kamaldeen Sulemana. The probable starting XI includes a mix of experienced and emerging talents, reflecting the team’s strategy to balance depth and competitiveness. Other notable developments in the squad include a reported incident at a hotel, which the venue denied as a robbery, and a dance battle among players during training sessions. These moments highlight the team’s focus on both performance and camaraderie ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. The friendly match also serves as an opportunity for the squad to test tactical approaches and player fitness. Highlight reels from previous encounters, such as the iconic friendly against Real Madrid, have been shared to showcase the team’s history and progress. Fans are encouraged to follow the game for real-time updates, as the match is expected to draw significant attention both domestically and internationally. The fixture is part of a broader schedule for the Black Stars, with the team aiming to build momentum ahead of high-stakes competitions. The match against Austria will provide valuable insights into the squad’s readiness and adaptability, setting the stage for future challenges in the global football calendar.#world_cup #ghana_national_team #otto_addo #austria #ernst_happel_stadion
