Austria vs Jordan Live, FIFA World Cup 2026: Austria takes on Jordan after Messi lights up Group J

We are underway in California.

Austria start off in their traditional reds while Jordans start off in all-white.

Austria are playing their first World Cup since 1998, while Jordan are taking part in the most prestigious tournament for the very first time.

Both the Austrian and Jordan squads have started their warm-ups in front of the Bay Arena Stadium in California.

We are 10 minutes away from the second game of Group J

Lionel Messi scored a first-half stunner and added two more after the break to complete a hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City.

The Argentina captain also moved level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the World Cup scoring charts, while Luca Zidane was twice beaten as Argentina opened their title defence in style.

Riyad Mahrez lines up a promising left-footed free-kick and goes for the curling effort up and over the wall.

But the Argentine barrier stands tall, blocking the attempt and keeping it out of reach of Emiliano Martínez.

Lionel Messi is taken off by Lionel Scaloni after the Argentinian captain completed his first world cup hat-trick.

The legend has also equalised Miroslav Klose's World Cup record and gets a standing ovation from Kansas City.

Nico Paz comes on for him.

Lionel Messi completes a first World Cup hat-trick to draw level with Miroslav Klose! 3-0 Argentina!

The captain shows no signs of slowing down, driving through the centre circle before slipping a pass out to Nicolas Gonzalez on the left.

The substitute returns it quickly, and Messi takes over—shaping onto his left foot and curling a sublime effort beyond a diving Luca Zidane into the corner.

Playing in his 200th international game, Messi's goals saw him become both Argentina's youngest and oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.

It was his 15th goal at the tournament, putting him ahead of France forward Kylian Mbappe and in second place alongside Brazil's Ronaldo Phenomenon on the all-time scoring list and leaving him one goal shy of the outright record.

Lionel Messi goes hunting for a World Cup hat-trick, shrugging off Rayan Ait-Nouri before unleashing a 20-yard strike.

Luca Zidane reacts sharply, tipping it over the bar with a strong hand to deny him and send it out for a corner.

Will the great man score his first World Cup hat-trick?

Luca Zidane makes a crucial save, getting his hand, pushing it away.

Lionel Messi threads a clever line-breaking pass into the box for Lautaro Martínez, who takes a touch to steady himself before shifting his shoulder and driving a low right-footed shot toward the centre.

Zidane reacted well, getting down to push the effort away and keep it out.

Argentina 1-0 Algeria

Lionel Messi has already scored and comes close again, curling a 20-yard effort that whizzes just over the top corner.

He opens up his body and curls a trademark left-footed effort that bends beautifully toward the top corner—only to whistle just over the bar by inches.

Like father, like son.

Alert to the danger, Luca Zidane raced to the edge of his box to meet a clever ball floated over Algeria's back line. Beating Lautaro Martínez to it, the goalkeeper calmly headed the ball into the path of Rayan Ait-Nouri, turning a potentially dangerous attack into a composed passage of possession for Algeria.

And we're back underway in Kansas City.

Argentina begin the second half with a 1-0 lead thanks to Lionel Messi's milestone strike on his 200th appearance, and Lionel Scaloni has already made his first change of the night.

Nahuel Molina is on at right-back, replacing Gonzalo Montiel.

Forty-five minutes separate the world champions from a winning start. Algeria, meanwhile, still have plenty to say.

Kansas City has already had a bit of everything. Two disallowed goals, plenty of early drama and, inevitably, a Lionel Messi moment.

The Argentina captain marked his 200th appearance with a stunning strike to put the world champions ahead after both sides had seen goals ruled out inside the opening 10 minutes.

Algeria landed a few punches. Argentina landed the big one. Messi's milestone night is going to plan so far.

Four more minutes for Algeria to find a way back into this.

We're into added time at the end of the first half and Argentina still lead thanks to Lionel Messi's milestone strike on his 200th appearance for the national team.

Algeria have threatened in flashes through Fares Chaibi, but for long spells this half has belonged to the world champions.

Argentina have a free-kick and you can probably guess who's standing over it.

Thiago Almada wins the foul after catching an accidental elbow from Rafik Belghali, and now the crowd rises in anticipation.

Messi is standing over it and 50,000 people have suddenly reached the edge of their seats.

No pressure, Leo.

The game has tilted firmly Argentina's way.

Algeria threatened early, but Messi's goal has changed the mood entirely. Argentina's 4-4-2 shape without the ball is working beautifully, while Algeria are beginning to look a step behind the pace.

For now, this is being played on Argentina's terms.

The game has slipped into chess mode.

Argentina are happy to keep the ball. Algeria are happy to keep their shape. Neither side is pressing too hard, neither side is taking unnecessary risks.

For now, it's less chaos and more calculation in Kansas City.

The World Cup goals race is tightening up nicely.

Kylian Mbappe briefly stole a march on his former PSG teammate with his brace in France;s win over Algeria. Hours later, Lionel Messi has reeled him back in.

With goal No. 14 on his 200th Argentina appearance, Messi is now level with Mbappe and Germany great Gerd Muller. Only two men remain ahead of him:

World Cup all-time goalscorers:

Miroslav Klose (Germany) - 16

Ronaldo (Brazil) - 15

Lionel Messi (Argentina) - 14

Kylian Mbappe (France) - 14

Gerd Muller (West Germany) - 14

The best part? Messi still has plenty of time in this match left to climb even higher.

A few people might be deleting their drafts right now.

Questions about Messi's age. Questions about Rodrigo De Paul's place in the team. Argentina's opener has already provided a response to both.

De Paul supplied the pass. Messi supplied the finish. Some partnerships don't need defending

This one counts. And it had to be him.

On his 200th Argentina appearance, Lionel Messi picks up a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, drives forward and unleashes a rocket from 25 yards. Luca Zidane gets a touch, but not enough.

Goal No. 118 for Argentina. World Cup goal No. 14. Argentina lead. Messi delivers. Again.

Questions over this squad have lingered in the build-up, with Rodrigo De Paul among those under the spotlight. Had Algeria's goal stood, the doubters would have been sharpening their knives already.

This team arrived in the United States with more scepticism than previous Scaloni sides.

For now, everyone gets to exhale. Just.

It is all happening in Kansas City.

Algeria thought they had stunned the world champions when Fares Chaibi fired past Emiliano Martinez, only for the offside flag to cut the celebrations short.

That's two disallowed goals in the opening 10 minutes. One for Messi, one for Chaibi. Still 0-0, but definitely not short on drama.

Kansas City thought it had its moment. Messi thought so too.

Five minutes in, the Argentina captain had the ball in the net and Arrowhead Stadium erupted. The move was beautifully worked too, with Enzo Fernandez picking out Lautaro Martinez before the striker teed up his captain.

The celebrations, however, lasted only a few seconds before the assistant's flag went up.

Messi was offside by the finest of margins. So close to a dream start and World Cup goal No. 14, but not just yet

And we're underway in Kansas City.

The first touch of Argentina's World Cup title defence belongs Lautaro Martinez gets the ball rolling in his 200th appearance for La Albiceleste.

Argentina are in their iconic blue-and-white stripes, while Algeria line up in green kit. The holders are off, the crowd is buzzing and another Messi World Cup chapter has officially begun.

But of course, all eyes on Lionel Messi.

Here they come.

Led by Lionel Messi, Argentina's players are walking out of the tunnel and into a wall of noise at Arrowhead Stadium. The chants have barely stopped since the captain emerged for the warm-up and they are only getting louder now.

The stage is set, the players are out, and it's time for the national anthems. World Cup football has officially arrived in Kansas City.

The warm-up has barely started and Arrowhead Stadium already sounds like a Messi goal celebration.

A huge roar greeted Argentina's players as they emerged for their pre-match routine, with Lionel Messi receiving the loudest welcome of all. If that's the reception for a warm-up, imagine the noise if the captain marks his 200th Argentina appearance with a goal tonight.

Kansas City is ready. Messi certainly seems to be too.

For years, every World Cup involving Lionel Messi came with the same questions: Could he match Diego Maradona? Could he win it for Argentina? Could he complete the story?

Then came Qatar and that marked the end of those.

For the first time, Messi arrives not carrying the weight of expectation, but with the freedom of a man who has already climbed the mountain.

At 38 and preparing for a sixth World Cup, he is no longer chasing history. He is simply adding extra chapters to it.

The world champions have lost just once in their last 10 matches, yet they haven't faced a top-10 side since thumping Brazil 4-1 in March 2025. Since then, life has been fairly comfortable for Lionel Scaloni's men.

Tonight, the World Cup pressure returns. Let's see if Argentina can hit top gear straight away.

Remember, their title-winning 2022 FIFA World Cup started with a surprise defeat to Saudi Arabia.

A little boost for Argentina before a ball has even been kicked.

On the opening day of the World Cup, FIFA's updated rankings saw the defending champions climb back to No. 1, moving ahead of Spain and France.

Top 10 FIFA Rankings:

Argentina

Spain

France

England

Portugal

Brazil

Morocco

Netherlands

Belgium

Germany

The rankings are one thing. Argentina now have the next few weeks to prove they deserve to stay there.

Algeria are not here to make up the numbers.

Led by former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez and packed with emerging talent like Mohamed Amoura, the Desert Foxes cruised through World Cup qualifying, winning eight of their 10 matches and scoring 24 goals along the way.

Their Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended disappointingly against Nigeria, but they've bounced back in style, winning all four friendlies since, including an eye-catching 1-0 victory over the Netherlands.

Argentina are favourites. Algeria are no pushovers.

There may be a slight question mark over whether Lionel Messi starts, but the Argentina captain is expected to feature against Algeria and, in doing so, reach yet another remarkable landmark.

200th appearance for Argentina

27th World Cup appearance, extending his all-time record

Sixth World Cup tournament, another record in itself

That would make him just the third men's player ever to reach the milestone, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Bader Al-Mutawa. Oh, and it will also be his record-extending 27th World Cup appearance.

At 38, the records just keep coming.

Rise and shine, football fans. If you're wondering why you're awake this early, Lionel Messi is the answer.

Argentina's World Cup title defence begins against Algeria in Kansas City, with the 38-year-old set to embark on his sixth World Cup adventure. The holders are chasing history too. No nation has retained football's biggest prize in more than 60 years.

Coffee ready? Now stay tuned here for all the live updates.

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