BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – OCTOBER 15: Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American Qualifier match between Argentina and Bolivia at Estadio Mas Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on October 15, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Inter striker Lautaro Martinez will join Lionel Messi in leading the charge as Argentina go head-to-head with Austria for the top spot in Group J at the 2026 World Cup.
The game opens in Dallas at 18:00 UK time (19:00 CET, 12:00 local time).
Argentina opened the season with a 3-0 victory over Algeria thanks to Messi’s hat trick, while Austria defeated Jordan 3-1 in their first match, so it will be a head-to-head battle for the group title.
Players who earn three points today will effectively qualify for the Round of 32.
Inter captain Lautaro Martínez will be hoping for his first goal of the competition as he once again partners up front with Messi in Lionel Scaloni’s side, leaving Como’s talented Nico Paz on the bench.
The only change from the first game was the replacement of Gonzalo Montiel by former Udinese full-back Nahuel Molina.
As they aim to retain the World Cup trophy, it is also the 40th anniversary of Diego Armando Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup.
Austria are relieved to know they have retained coach Ralf Rangnick, who had been approached by Milan to become their new technical director.
Instead, he has signed a new contract and will continue to coach the national team.
Former Inter striker Marko Arnautovic is still going strong at the age of 37, while Venetian defender Michael Svoboda was recently promoted to Serie A.
Both players started on the bench, but Como defender Stephane Posch started.
Argentina vs Austria
Argentina: E. Martinez. Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina. De Paul, Fernandes, Mac Allister. Armada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Austria: Schlager. Danso, Posh, Alaba. Reimer, Seiwald, X. Schlager, Wanner. Sabitzer. Schmidt, Gregoritsch
twenty three
13
twenty five
6
26
20
twenty four
7
16
twenty two
10
1
8
3
5
20
9
6
twenty four
18
4
11
15
1
11
19
5
3
14
12
2
4
9
18
17
8
twenty one
7
twenty five
16
2
twenty two
26
twenty three
10
15
14
19
13
twenty one
17
12
post navigation
