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Argentina vs Austria Predictions - Argentina backed with Messi to produce

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 21 Jun 2026

Ralph Staniforth 21 Jun 2026

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Argentina are on an 8-match winning run and Messi is in outstanding form.
Austria have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches but face a tough challenge.
Prediction: Argentina to win, Messi likely to break World Cup scoring record.

Expired

Leo Messi scored three goals against Algeria (Getty Images)

Argentina vs Austria Predictions

Austria are no slouches and are sure to challenge the defending champions, however, Argentina, with Messi in top form, should prove too strong.

Argentina vs Austria Predictions
Head to Head
Argentina Form
Austria Form
Argentina vs Austria News & Predicted Lineups

Argentina have won their last 8 matches.
Leo Messi has scored 9 goals in his last 7 matches for Inter Miami and Argentina.
Austria have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches.

Head to Head

Argentina won the first h2h match against Austria 5-1 in May 1980, while a 1-1 draw was registered in 1990. Both matches were international friendlies.

Argentina Form

Argentina had a fantastic start to the World Cup 2026, claiming a convincing 3-0 victory against Algeria earlier this week without allowing a single shot on target to the opposition.

Leo Messi delivered another outstanding performance here, scoring all three goals to become joint-top scorer in the World Cup history, needing just one more goal to surpass Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

Earlier this month, the reigning world champions won both of the final tests ahead of the World Cup 2026. First, Argentina outplayed Honduras 2-0 where they had 2.28-0.15 xG and 8-0 shots on target, while beating Iceland 3-0 last week, allowing just one shot on target.

Austria Form

Like their upcoming opponents, Austria also collected three points in their World Cup 2026 opening match against Jordan 3-1 but had to work really hard to claim them.

Das Team broke the deadlock early here, Romano Schmid finding the net on Xaver Schlager’s assist, but then allowed an equalizer just after the break. The lead was regained in the 76th minute thanks to Al Arab’s own goal, while veteran Marko Arnautovic finished the job from a penalty spot in stoppage time.

After having a lot of success in March friendlies (beat Ghana 5-1 and South Korea 1-0), Austria opted for just one test game before the World Cup 2026, locking horns against Tunisia. Even though their Konrad Laimer was sent off in the first half, they won 1-0 with Marcel Sabitzer finding the net.

Argentina vs Austria News & Predicted Lineups

Argentina (4-3-3) Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez

Thiago Almada had a poor showing against Algeria so I expect Nicolas Gonzalez to take his place in the starting lineup.

Austria (3-4-2-1) Alexander Schlager; David Alaba, Philipp Lienhart, Kevin Danso; Philipp Mwene, Marcel Sabitzer, Xaver Schlager, Konrad Laimer, Romano Schmid, Nicolas Seiwald; Marko Arnautovic

Marko Arnautovic is expected to start this time, replacing Sasa Kalajdzic who had a decent performance against Jordan but Austria are unlikely to have two strong forwards against Argentina.

Verdict

Argentina v Austria

Austria have good scoring potential, finding the net in 11 of their last 12 matches. I like their chances of getting past Emiliano Martinez, but the reigning world champions should still take the points here.

I will also back Leo Messi to score and become the outright top scorer in World Cup history.

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Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town.

He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport.

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa.

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf.

He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.