{"id":1461768,"date":"2026-06-22T21:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T20:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1461768"},"modified":"2026-06-22T22:49:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T21:49:33","slug":"post-match-analysis-argentina-vs-austria-22-06-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-argentina-vs-austria-22-06-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentina vs Austria stats and analysis: Lionel Messi haunts Austria with his World Cup record-breaking moment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/argentina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Argentina<\/a> beat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/austria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Austria<\/a> 2-0 to secure their place in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 World Cup<\/a> knockout stages.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lionel Messi was the star of the show, scoring both goals to become the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/lionel-messi-world-cup-all-time-topscorer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">all-time leading scorer in World Cups<\/a>, beating Miroslav Klose&#8217;s record. That came despite Messi missing a penalty in the eighth minute, which would have seen him break the record earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In bagging his brace, Messi became only the second player to score four or more goals in three different men&#8217;s World Cups, and the third to score in six consecutive matches in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Argentina vs Austria analysis:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-austria-s-hybrid-press\" data-level=\"2\">Austria&#8217;s hybrid press<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-argentina-activations\" data-level=\"2\">Argentina activations<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-messi-s-ghostly-presence\" data-level=\"2\">Messi&#8217;s ghostly presence<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-austria-s-hybrid-press\">Austria&#8217;s hybrid press<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ralf Rangnick is known for his aggressive pressing ideas. After all, he famous stated: &#8220;A little bit of pressing is like a little bit of pregnant.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This does relate more to his counter-pressing ideas, looking to regain possession quickly after losing the ball. But it also applies to his out-of-possession ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rangnick sets Austria up in a 4-4-2 midblock, but the idea is to transition into a man-for-man press once the trigger is met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1461846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202101\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-3-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jlatacticsboard.com\/\" id=\"https:\/\/jlatacticsboard.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Image via JLA Tactics Board<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A clear trigger against Argentina was a backwards pass. Marcel Sabitzer would then jump to pressure Cristian Romero, forcing Konrad Lainer to jump onto Nahuel Molina at right-back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Austria then had Paul Wanner looking to block access to Alexis Mac Allister at the base of the midfield. Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager were ready to jump to Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Argentina&#8217;s diamong dormation caused issues for Austria. Thiago Almada roamed inside to create a four-on-three in midfield aloongside Mac Allister, De Paul and Fernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2>Betfred - Get \u00a350 in free bets when you bet \u00a310 + Place a \u00a310 EPL Bet Builder to get an extra \u00a310 Free Bet<\/h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Sign up at Betfred using <strong><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betfred?q=gb-all-rev-wof-s-spo\">this link<\/a><\/strong> or clicking the image below.<\/li>\r\n<li>Deposit a minimum of \u00a310 and place a bet of \u00a310+ on Sports<\/li>\r\n<li><span id=\"0\">Receive \u00a350 in Free Bets <\/span><span id=\"1\">within 10 hours of bet settlement<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/betfred?q=gb-all-rev-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1395281 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-1024x498.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-1024x498.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-300x146.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-768x373.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-1536x747.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-400x195.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-411x200.png 411w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-123x60.png 123w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-150x73.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220-40x19.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/15162343\/Screenshot-2025-08-15-162220.png 1682w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet \u00a310+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x \u00a310 in Sports Free Bets &amp; 2 x \u00a310 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility &amp; payment exclusions apply. Full T&amp;Cs apply.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-argentina-activations\">Argentina activations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lionel Scaloni has built an international side with great detail, a team who are constantly attuned to combinations and connections around the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Players&#8217; body orientations create central overloads in the tightest of spaces. This allows Argetnina to find solutions through the middle, constantly activating defensive responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1461862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-267x267.jpg 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2-74x74.jpg 74w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22204025\/team_-average-positions-2-6-2.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A brilliant example of this comes in how Argentina work the ball from side to side. They rarely do so with long switches of play, or U-shaped circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, they constantly look to progress through the pressure points for the opposition team. This activates their defensive behaviours and forces the opponents into decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, opposition players are dragged towards the ball in the centre of the pitch, making their shape more narrow. It gives them less time to shuffle from side to side, leaving gaps in their defensive scheme for Argentina to exploit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1461847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-356x200.jpeg 356w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-107x60.jpeg 107w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-150x84.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22202106\/Pitchshot-ARG-v-AUT-4-132x74.jpeg 132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jlatacticsboard.com\/\" id=\"https:\/\/jlatacticsboard.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Image via JLA Tactics Board<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Argentina&#8217;s narrow 4-1-2-1-2 shape helps them constantly provoke these behaviours, with midfielders rotation positions and taking up in-between roles. Fernandez and De Paul are key examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They operated between the winger and central midfielder in Austria&#8217;s 4-4-2, allow them to access the space behind the front two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This became even tougher for Austria to deal with once you added in the Messi factor. He has the freedom to drift and roam whereber he likes, often taking up similar in-between positions to confuse markers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-messi-s-ghostly-presence\">Messi&#8217;s ghostly presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Messi never seizes to amaze. As arguably the best player ever, he should have constant attention from multiple opposition players. However, the soon-to-be-39-year-old has improved upon a new skillset to help him continue to dominate at the top level. He&#8217;s perfected the art of ghosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Argentinian superstar is used to defenders man-marking him, being double or tripled-up on anywhere on the pitch. Argentina&#8217;s first goal showcased this ability perfectly, with Messi starting the attack by switching play over to the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1461861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/06\/22203901\/player_-pitch-5-stats-no-rank-4-2.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The move forced Austria to retreat at pace, while Messi opted to hold his run, letting play develop and looking to receive behind the retreating defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Messi was then able to arrive with space on the edge of the are, finishing coolly into the bottom left corner. But this wasn&#8217;t the only sign of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Argentinian legend was mixing things up, starting in offside positions, letting the Austria backline retreat and then taking that space in front to receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Argentina now safely through to the knockout stages, Messi could well be given a rest for their final group match. It&#8217;ll keep him fresh for the later rounds, so he can continue to impact games as he has been so far.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages. Lionel Messi was the star of the show, scoring both goals to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cups, beating Miroslav Klose&#8217;s record. That came despite Messi missing a penalty in the eighth minute, which would have seen him&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3107,"featured_media":1461829,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"argentina vs austria analysis","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Argentina vs Austria analysis: How Lionel Messi and Argentina's activations helped defending champions to another World Cup victory.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27631],"class_list":["post-1461768","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-world-cup"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Argentina vs Austria stats and analysis: Lionel Messi haunts Austria with his World Cup 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