Thanks to Lionel Messi’s record-breaking display on Monday, defending champions Argentina maintained their 100% record at the 2026 World Cup - and are now through to the knockout stages as Group J winners. On matchday three, they’ll be joined in the top two by either Austria or Algeria, who’ll go head to head for the section’s second automatic spot in the last 32.

What happened on Group J matchday two?

After a Messi hat-trick had seen Argentina open up with a 3-0 win over Algeria a week ago, the Albiceleste again had their captain to thank as they beat Austria to the points on matchday two. Although he missed a first-half penalty, the Inter Miami superstar then netted twice in Dallas - goals that made him the men’s World Cup’s all-time highest scorer. Messi’s career haul of 18 tournament goals surpasses Miroslav Klose’s total of 16 for Germany.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who turns 39 on Wednesday, is also the leading marksman at this summer’s finals. His tally of five goals places him one ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland.

In Group J’s second matchday-two game, Algeria registered their first points of the finals to thrust themselves into contention for a knockout-stage place. In Santa Clara, Amine Gouiri’s 82nd-minute strike secured a come-from-behind victory over Jordan, who had led at the break through a Nizar Al-Rashdan goal. It was a result that eliminated the World Cup debutants - who lost 3-1 to Austria in their opening game - and confirmed Argentina as group winners.

So who needs what on Group J matchday three?

Next Saturday, automatic qualification will be on the line in Kansas City, where Algeria and Austria meet in a winner-takes-all matchup for second place in Group J. A draw will also be enough for the Austrians, as Ralf Rangnick’s men have the goal-difference advantage over the North Africans.

While a stalemate would consign Algeria to third, a final points tally of four would leave them well positioned to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams. For both the Algerians and the Austrians, defeat might not be terminal to their World Cup hopes, but progression from third is much less likely with only three points. This is particularly the case for Algeria, who already have a negative goal difference.

Jordan are now mathematically incapable of climbing from fourth place in Group J, as Austria and Algeria both have the head-to-head advantage over Jamal Sellami’s side.

The head-to-head tiebreaker likewise ensures that Argentina can no longer be leapfrogged by the Austrians or the Algerians. On matchday three, the South Americans now have the chance to seal a perfect record in a men’s World Cup group stage for only the second time this century.

Group J: results

Matchday one: June 16

• Argentina 3-0 Algeria
• Austria 3-1 Jordan

Matchday two: June 22

• Argentina 2-0 Austria
• Jordan 1-2 Algeria

Group J: standings

After two matchdays, the table looks like this:

Group J: remaining games

• June 27: Jordan vs Argentina
• June 27: Algeria vs Austria

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