{"id":2126,"date":"2026-06-23T09:03:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T09:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=2126"},"modified":"2026-06-23T09:03:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T09:03:43","slug":"lionel-messi-scores-twice-as-argentina-clinches-spot-in-world-cup-knockout-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=2126","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina clinches spot in World Cup knockout round"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Argentina will officially get a chance to defend its World Cup title in the knockout rounds.<\/p>\n

Read more \u2018Fast as a cannonball\u2019: Goals are being scored at a record pace at the World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

Led by two more goals from Lionel Messi, Argentina clinched its spot in the Round of 32 after defeating Austria 2-0 at Dallas Stadium on Monday.<\/p>\n

The game nearly had its first goal in the opening minutes before a shocking turn of events. There was initially no penalty called when Lautaro Martinez was taken down in the box, but there was a review initiated and eventually a call was made to give Argentina a penalty kick.<\/p>\n

Messi, with a chance to set the men’s World Cup all-time goal record, sent the spot-kick wide as announcers, fans and other players in the stadium were left stunned.<\/p>\n

Nearly 30 minutes later, Messi made things right.<\/p>\n

Left-back Facundo Medina delivered a cutback pass to Messi, with the ball sneaking through Thiago Almada’s legs to get to him, and the record-setting goal was scored.<\/p>\n

The entire team swarmed Messi as he sprinted away, showing some emotion and pointing to the sidelines after his teammates dispersed. <\/p>\n

The second half didn’t have many scoring chances, until the final minute — when Messi did it again. In the 95th minute, the last of stoppage time, Messi wouldn’t be denied.<\/p>\n

He passed it to Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, then got it back and got behind the goalkeeper. Messi then rebounded his shot, which was deflected, and put it past three defenders in the perfect spot to secure the brace.<\/p>\n

With his fifth goal of the tournament and 18th of his World Cup career, Messi passed Brazilian legend Marta for the most goals by a man or woman at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Read more How FIFA President Gianni Infantino is attending multiple World Cup games a day<\/a><\/p>\n

Argentina is 2-0 in Group J with six points, while Austria is second with three points following its opening 3-1 win vs. Jordan.<\/p>\n

La Albiceleste could win Group J later on Monday if Algeria draws or beats Jordan. A victory by Jordan would keep the group open for now, but Argentina could then clinch it against Jordan with a win or draw.<\/p>\n

Algeria and Jordan will face off Monday at 11 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo and Peacock.<\/p>\n

For Argentina, advancing out of the group stage is typically just the first step at the World Cup. The club has only been eliminated before the knockout round once in the last 30 years (2002).<\/p>\n

The task will become more difficult as Argentina advances deeper into the tournament. No nation has repeated as World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Italy, in 1934 and 1938, is the only other repeat winner.<\/p>\n

Last time Argentina won the World Cup in 1986, it went on to lose in the final in 1990 — a devastating 1-0 loss to West Germany.<\/p>\n

If Argentina wins Group J, as is expected, it would face the second-place team from Group H in the round of 32. That game would take place on July 3 in Miami — representing a homecoming for Messi, who plays in MLS for Inter Miami. <\/p>\n

Read more France-Iraq World Cup match in Philly experiences weather delay Monday<\/a><\/p>\n

Group H contenders include Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 38-year-old star added two more goals, setting records along the way, as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 on Monday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2026-world-cup"],"yoast_head":"\nLionel Messi scores twice as Argentina clinches spot in World Cup knockout round - Jacksonville Moving News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/jacksonvillemovingnews.com\/?p=2126\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lionel Messi scores twice as Argentina clinches spot in World Cup knockout round - 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