Argentina target the last 32 against Austria as Messi closes on Klose’s record

Argentina arrive at their second group game with the title still on their back and Lionel Messi rewriting the record books on the way. When they meet Austria in Dallas on Monday, a win is all the holders need to book their place in the World Cup’s last 32, and on current form few would back against them getting it. Kick-off is 10:30 PM IST.

Messi level with Klose

Argentina’s opener could hardly have gone better. Messi scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Algeria, a performance that carried him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. At 38, in what is almost certainly his final tournament, he is still the man who bends these games to his will. Another goal against Austria would leave him alone at the top of a list he has spent two decades climbing.

Austria are no easy night

This is not a stroll, whatever the odds say. Ralf Rangnick’s Austria are at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, a 28-year wait, and they marked the occasion by recovering from Jordan’s equalizer to beat Jordan 3-1. Captained by David Alaba, they are well organised, physical through the middle, and they arrive in Dallas with the kind of belief a winning start brings. Lose carelessly here and Argentina could find a supposedly routine group suddenly demanding something of them on the final day.

Group J on a knife edge, sort of

Both sides sit on three points, Argentina ahead only on goal difference after that three-goal margin against Algeria. Jordan and Algeria are still searching for their first point, which means the winner in Dallas all but guarantees a knockout berth, while a draw keeps the group alive into the last round. For Argentina the equation is simple. Beat Austria and they are through, free to manage minutes and legs before the real business starts. For Austria, even a point against the champions would be a result worth carrying home.

What to expect

Expect Argentina to dominate the ball and Austria to make them work for every opening. Lionel Scaloni’s side have the individual quality to settle most games inside an hour, but Austria’s discipline could make this scrappier than the bookmakers suggest. If Messi gets on it early, the record will likely take care of itself. If Austria can keep it tight past the hour, the nerves that follow a defending champion everywhere might just start to flicker.

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