World Cup holders Argentina face Austria with knockout phase in sight
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
DALLAS – Defending champions Argentina can take a major step towards the knockout stages when they face Austria in their second World Cup Group J match on June 22, after both sides opened their campaigns with convincing victories.
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s title defence with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria, drawing level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history on 16 goals. Austria beat Jordan 3-1 to set up a meeting between the group’s two early leaders.
A victory would leave the South Americans on the brink of the round of 32 and could secure top spot in the group, if Jordan fail to beat Algeria in the day’s other Group J match.
Austria arrive with ambitions of their own after an impressive opening performance under coach Ralf Rangnick and can also move into a commanding position if they overcome Argentina and Algeria do not beat Jordan.
Much of the attention will again fall on 38-year-old Messi, whose clinical display against Algeria reinforced Argentina’s status as one of the favourites for the trophy, a threat Austria captain David Alaba acknowledged after watching their opponents’ opener.
“We definitely watched their game before we left,” the defender said after their opening win.
“It’s incredible that Messi started such a tournament with a hat-trick. Absolutely insane... Let’s hope he doesn’t (do it) next week.”
Alaba was quick to stress that Argentina’s quality extends well beyond their talisman.
“We know what kind of opponent we’re up against, what kind of quality they have in their ranks, even besides Messi, but also what they’re capable of as a team,” he said.
Austria, who are at their first World Cup in 28 years, will hope their organised pressing game can disrupt Argentina’s rhythm and strengthen their credentials as potential group winners.
Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar warned that Austria would pose a different challenge to Algeria, describing Rangnick’s side as a physical team capable of causing problems despite the holders’ impressive start.
“Austria is a very tough team, as we’re seeing with the vast majority of the teams,” he said in a FIFA interview.
The build-up has also been coloured by Algeria’s complaint to FIFA’s referees committee over several decisions in Argentina’s opening victory, including an incident in which Messi escaped punishment after a challenge on captain Aissa Mandi before going on to score his hat-trick.
Argentina have not publicly commented on the complaint and will be focused on extending their winning start.
Meanwhile, Jordan were expected to showcase their resolute defending on their World Cup debut but rattled Austria with ruthless and relentless counter-attacking in a dramatic end-to-end game that finished a flattering 3-1 in favour of the Europeans.
They have little choice but to go all out against Algeria, where a draw might require heroics in their last group game against Argentina, and a loss could see their early elimination.
Algeria’s coach Vladimir Petkovic said: “We need to make sure the team have that belief because we know that we can do it.” REUTERS
