Argentina will be looking for another World Cup victory but they come up against their toughest challenge in Group J in Austria when they meet at 6pm (UK time) on Monday 22nd June.
Age seems to be no obstacle for Lionel Messi, who scored a sensational hattrick in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria. Will he have a similar impact here?
Austria also won their first game in comfortable fashion. They dispatched Jordan a 3-1 scoreline but this represents a very different challenge for the European side.
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Argentina vs Austria team news
Argentina team news
No injuries or suspensions affect the Argentina squad heading into this fixture. This gives Lionel Scaloni a fully fit group to select from after their comfortable 3-0 opening win over Algeria.
Messi scored a hat-trick on his 200th international cap against Algeria – a defining performance that confirmed his fitness and sharpness heading into the second match.
Scaloni faces one interesting selection dilemma at full back. Tagliafico remains the only player who trained separately during the week, managing a soleus injury – he’s unlikely to take part. Gonzalo Montiel should retain his right-back position ahead of Nahuel Molina.
Lautaro Martínez leads the attacking line ahead of Julian Alvarez, who should start off the bench.
Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul should continue as the midfield three, with Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez as the first-choice centre-back pairing ahead of Otamendi. Emiliano Martínez starts in goal. Scaloni carries no suspension concerns into Sunday’s fixture.
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Austria team news
Austria carry two genuine fitness concerns into Sunday’s fixture at AT&T Stadium.
Captain David Alaba spent most of the past year managing a serious knee injury – his availability and minutes load will attract close scrutiny throughout the week. Both Florian Grillitsch and Patrick Wimmer carry muscular issues into this fixture – two players who provide important width and creativity in Rangnick’s 4-2-3-1.
If Wimmer misses out, Romano Schmid should keep his place on the right. Christoph Baumgartner misses the entire tournament through injury. It’s a significant absence that deprives Rangnick of one of his most technically gifted midfielders.
Marko Arnautovic came off the bench against Jordan and scored from the penalty spot – the veteran striker will again likely start from the bench, with Kalajdzic leading the line from the first whistle.
Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer remain central to Austria’s midfield output, with Sabitzer’s 26 international goals making him a persistent threat from distance. Rangnick reports no new injuries from the Jordan match and looks set to field a similar starting lineup.
Argentina vs Austria predicted lineups
Argentina (4-4-1-1): Emi Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; de Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi; Lisandro Martinez.
Austria (4-2-3-1): A. Schlager; Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, X. Schlager; Schmid, Laimer, Sabitzer; Kalajdzic.
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