Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIs anyone surprised? Argentina started their World Cup campaign with Lionel Messi centre of attention. Business as usual.It was the no.10s show in La Albicelestes first Group J game, plundering three goals in under 80 minutes against Austria.Can he repeat the trick? You wouldnt bet against it.Latest Videos FromWatch full video here: Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kArgentina vs Austria predictionMessi and co are back in action at the AT&T Stadium on Monday 22 June, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm BST.Argentina could secure top spot in the group with a win, with one game left to play. You may like How to watch Argentina vs Austria for FREE Argentina vs Algeria prediction as the champions begin their World Cup defence Is Lionel Messi injured for Argentina vs Austria? World Cup stars fitness latest INCREDIBLE Lionel Messi strikes from distance and completes his hat-trick! pic.twitter.com/ZtSoFhPbS5June 17, 2026Austria and Algeria occupy very similar places in the FIFA rankings and in the football food chain, with hints of talent from top European sides, but nothing to blow the mind.Algeria simply couldnt live with Messi, and what makes him even more difficult to deal with is the players around him make him difficult to double up on.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Focus too much attention on the Inter Miami man, and youre simply gifting more space to the likes of Lautaro Martinez a sometimes underrated attacking force next to the eight-time Ballon dOr winner and Julian Alvarez, or a talent like Enzo Fernandez in midfield.Even if Austria manage to spring a counter, they meet a Premier League-standard defence in Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, plus multiple Yashin Award winner Emi Martinez.In short, this looks like a tough one for Austria, but many of their best players David Alaba and Konrad Laimer, to name two operate primarily in defence by trade, so we don't expect quite the same rollover as Algeria.Argentina arent immune to a shock famously, after losing to Saudi Arabia in Qatar in 2022 we just cant see this being one of those days.Another Messi hat-trick feels unlikely, but we expect him to influence heavily.Score prediction: Argentina 2-0 AustriaTOPICSLionel MessiArgentinaAustriaWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Isaac Stacey StrongeSocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterIsaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.
