2026 FIFA World Cup Group J Recaps: Messi Breaks Record as Argentina Clinches Top Spot

Lionel Messi nearly broke Miroslav Klose's just ten minutes in from the penalty spot. The soccer gods made the world wait just a half hour long for a more fitting way to honor their GOAT.

The Albiceleste rode their talismanic striker to another victory which sees them claim the top seed out of Group J with one match to play.

ARGENTINA 2, AUSTRIA 0

Argentina were awarded a penalty in the early minutes, as VAR recommended a review for Stefan Posch and Xaver Schlager's tag team sliding tackle of Lautaro Martinez. Schlager might have gotten a sliver of the ball, but Posch coming from Lautaro's left got the bulk of the Inter Milan striker and Messi stepped up for a chance at history in the 9th minute.

His penalty however was rather poor, with Alexander Schlager staying on his line in the Austrian net that forced Messi to eventually try a finesse shot to the keeper's left but in his efforts to get the keeper to move first, Messi missed the net altogether. It was Messi's third PK miss ever at the World Cup which is a lesson as always to just run up and hit the ball.

Messi would not deny the soccering world of its historic moment, as Thiago Almada charged forward in the 38th minute and slipped in a pass to Facundo Medina down the left wing. Medina's cut back pass through the center off the box looked like it was headed back for Almada, but the midfielder played dummy and let it continue to Messi at the top of the box who slammed home a left footed shot past a stranded Schlager.

Austria struggled to generate much offensively, forcing Emiliano Martinez into just one save on a 55th free kick from Marcel Sabitzer from well outside the area. They were able to hold back Argentina from getting a second until deep into stoppage time, when a goal mouth scramble saw Messi dispatch his second on a rebound attempt to secure the points.

ALGERIA 2, JORDAN 1

Not to be forgotten about in the late night slot was a vital match between the bottom two teams of the group.

And it was Jordan who took the lead late in the first half after capitalizing on a wayward pass deep in the Algeria half. Mousa Al-Tamari and Mohannad Abu Taha recovered the ball and played a little combination to get Abu Taha in possession near the endline. His centering pass back to Al-Tamari was miscued horribly but spun fortunately back to Nizar Al-Rashdan who struck a low driven shot that Luca Zidane could only get a piece of before it hit the back of the net.

The Chivalrous Ones were the better side for over an hour, but just like in their first match started to fade late. With twenty minutes to go, Riyad Mahrez sent in a corner which Nadhir Benbouali deposited into the corner to level the scoreline. In the 82nd minute, another corner from the Fennec Foxes led to a scramble inside the six and Amine Gouiri poked home the winner.

GROUP OVERVIEW

Probably the first group to go chalk, with Argentina clinching, Austria-Algeria battling it out on the final day for second, and a legitimately game Jordan side being eliminated.

Full credit to the debutants who in two games looked more than World Cup worthy through the first 60-70 minutes of each match. All to play for for ALG-AUT but everything else here is settled and a tremendous closing match Group J should have there.