Argentina Cruise Through Group as Messi Sets New Heights

When Argentina arrived as defending champions, there were questions about age, squad depth, and whether Lionel Messi — now 38 — could still lead a World Cup charge. Those questions have been answered with clinical authority. Argentina dispatched Algeria 3-0 and Austria 2-0 in back-to-back masterclasses, crushing Group J with two wins and six goals. They did not just qualify for the round of 32 — they issued a warning to every team remaining in the tournament.

Against Algeria, Messi equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record, then surpassed it against Austria with his 17th and 18th career World Cup goals. No player in history has scored more on football’s biggest stage. The 38-year-old ghost drifts between lines, finds pockets of space, and punishes any team that gives him a fraction of room to breathe.

While Messi grabs the headlines, Argentina’s squad depth is genuinely frightening. Mac Allister controls midfield with quiet authority, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez provide relentless pressing and clinical finishing, and Emiliano Martinez has conceded just once in the tournament. This is a team built to win tournaments, not just group stages. Argentina have conceded once and scored six — they look every inch the defending champions ready to defend their crown.

Argentina wrapped up Group J with maximum points and have their eyes firmly on the round of 32 on July 3 in Miami. Nobody fancies facing this side right now — and with Messi rewriting history with every touch, that is entirely understandable. The defending champions are coming.