Austria loses against Argentina: Messi makes the difference

For Austria The final game against Algeria in Kansas City is about second or third place in the group.

Never before in the era of Team boss Ralf Rangnick Austria played an away game like the one in Dallas against Argentina. Four hours before the game started, thousands of fans made their way to the stadium, almost all dressed in blue and white, with a few red dots mixed in between. The Argentinians’ jersey design was not very varied; with the exception of one supporter each of Paredes and Maradona, everyone wore Messi shirts. There was a sensational atmosphere in the stadium, Austria’s choir boys and girls held their own bravely against the Argentine superiority.

Rangnick had made four changes to his starting eleven compared to the one from the 3-1 win against Jordan. What remained the same was that Alaba led the team onto the field as captain. Danso started with him in central defense. Laimer started as a left wing-back. Wanner was new in the starting line-up as a tenth and Gregoritsch as a centre-forward.

Penalty missed

The hit couldn’t have started more entertainingly. Austria pressed immediately, Argentina solved the situation with profound technique. After four minutes the hat was on fire, as if the game had been postponed Lautaro Martinez was stopped by Xaver Schlager and Posch (he fouled). became. The VAR intervened and referee Omar awarded a penalty. Then something unusual happened: Messi shot the penalty shot wide of the goal. The 33rd missed penalty of his career (116 converted).

After that, Austria at least got into the action better, held the ball longer, got into the duels better and looked more alert. And yet Messi appeared again in front of goalie Schlager, and Alaba almost produced an own goal in the rescue attempt (19th). The rapid actions in the depths increasingly hurt the Austrians.

Señor Messi always had his legs in the game. Alaba was able to save for Schlager with another shot (32nd), six minutes later the bell rang. Quick action from the left, pass into the middle, Messi, goal and 1-0 for Argentina. Austria was just a passenger, Messi surpassed record holder Klose with his 17th World Cup goal.
However, the hit was preceded by a foul on Schlager. The Rangnick team had no access to the opponent for a while – and in the first half they only had one shot from Sabitzer on offense.

But immediately after the break, Seiwald let a pass through for Sabitzer instead of shooting himself.
When Sabitzer took a free kick a little later, goalie Martinez had to stretch a lot. Pop star Shakira saw Austria’s best phase, which was interrupted by the drinking break. Rangnick brought in Arnautovic, Prass and Friedl, Austria became more offensive.

There was still hope, also because Argentina didn’t find any chances from the game and Messi hardly made any impact. But in the end it was not possible to crack the Argentine defense. And then came Messi in the 95th minute. 2-0 from a counterattack, the Argentine fans paid homage to their idol.