La Scaloneta faces a tough challenge this Monday at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Argentina and Austria meet at 2:00 PM (Argentine time) in the second round of Group J of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar. Both teams won their debut, and the one that repeats victory will automatically qualify for the round of 32. The match will be broadcast live on DSports, Telefé, TyC Sports, and TV Pública, and online on Flow, DGO, Telecentro Play, Disney+ Premium, and Paramount+.
Argentina started the tournament with a convincing 3-0 win over Algeria, showing the hierarchy of the defending champion. But Lionel Scaloni’s team arrives with defensive problems: Gonzalo Montiel and Nicolás Tagliafico are carrying muscle discomfort and are unavailable. The coach cannot repeat the debut lineup and will bring in Nahuel Molina as right back, the same player who arrived at the tournament under caution after recovering at the last minute from a muscle injury. The back four would be completed by Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Facundo Medina, with Dibu Martínez in goal.
From midfield forward, there would be no changes. Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martínez would remain starters, although Julián Álvarez is already better from his ankle injury and is pushing for a spot. The midfield would be occupied by Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández, while Lionel Messi, despite the delicate health situation of his father, will start and captain the team. The Argentine star is one of the top scorers in World Cup history alongside German Miroslav Klose.
On the other side, Austria also won their debut, 3-1 against Jordan, and knows this match defines their future. Without the power of other European teams, they count on figures like David Alaba (ex-Real Madrid), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), and Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich). Their coach, Ralf Rangnick, was clear in the preview: «We have to give our best version; perhaps we must offer the best performance my team has ever done. They have the best player of all time, we must show that we are one of the best teams in this World Cup. That means we have to be very strong tactically, but also very brave and bring a lot of energy.»
Betting odds favor Argentina, with a maximum payout of 1.62 for their victory, compared to 6.61 if Austria wins. A draw is priced at 4.05. The other Group J match will be between Algeria and Jordan on Tuesday, June 23 at 12:00 AM (Argentine time) in San Francisco.
In short, this afternoon La Scaloneta has the chance to take a giant step towards the round of 16, but they face a European team that gives nothing away. The Argentine soul, once again, on the ball.
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Che, para mí esto huele a opereta de la FIFA para que suframos. Austria? Ni en pedo nos ganan. Messi con la situación familiar, los defensores lesionados… todo armado para que la Scaloneta la pele. Pero estos europeos sobrados se van a chocar con la garra argentina. Dale la concha de la lora, los pasamos por arriba. Argentina carajo!
para mi austria es un chiste no tienen nivel para jugarle a la scaloneta messi juega con el corazon roto y estos vienen a hacer tiempo si argentina no los pasa por arriba es por la defensa que es un desastre pongan huevo o nos volvemos todos peronistas