Argentina vs Austria betting tips and predictions: More Messi magic in Dallas?

Jun 22, 2026 - 11:15

Argentina and Austria clash in Dallas in matchday two of Group J. Both nations bagged three points in their first round of matches – but something will have to give tonight.

Argentina vs Austria best bets

Phillipe Mwene to be carded – 5/2 with BOYLE Sports
Romano Schmid 0.5+ shots on target – 12/5 with BetMGM
Argentina to win and over 2.5 goals – 19/20 with BetMGM

Argentina vs Austria head to head overview

Date: Monday, 22nd June 2026
Kick-off: 6PM
Venue: Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Where to watch: BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Website
Referee: Amin Mohamed
Last meeting: Austria 1-1 Argentina (international friendly)
Favourite to win: Argentina

Tunisia vs Japan predicted lineups

Argentina expected lineup (4-4-2): E Martinez; Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, J Alvarez
Austria expected lineup (4-2-3-1): A Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, X Schlager; Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer; Kalajdzic

Argentina vs Austria prediction

The reigning world champions began the defence of their title with an impressive 3-0 victory over Algeria, while Austria dispatched Jordan 3-1.

The stage was set for Lionel Messi once again and he stole the show in Argentina’s opening match, scoring a stunning hat-trick against Algeria to remind the football world that he remains capable of deciding games on the biggest stage.

He is now just one goal off becoming the stand alone all-time World Cup top scorer.

It wasn’t just the goals that punctuated Messi’s performance. He also made the second-most passes into the final third for Argentina, behind only Enzo Fernández, while adding three defensive contributions. Those kind of those numbers prove he remains decisive, and Austria will likely find it difficult to contain him.

Ralf Rangnick’s Austria were made to work hard for the result, eventually pulling clear in the closing stages after Jordan had threatened to frustrate them for long periods.

Austria will be buzzing with their first World Cup win since 1990, although it was a game they were expected to win and they conceded as many shots (11) and shots on target (four) as they managed in the game.

Argentina vs Austria betting tips

Argentina to win again

While Austria’s lack of organisation at the back is a genuine concern going into this match.

They are undoubtedly a team with goals in them – they thumped Ghana 5-1 in a March friendly and did not hold back in a 10-0 mauling of San Marino in qualifying.

Although in qualifying they conceded both home and away to the other strongest teams in their group, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania, and Argentina should have plenty of chances going forwards.

Not only did the South Americans finish top of CONMEBOL qualifying but they were top scorers with 31 goals in 18 matches. Led by an in-form Messi, they could quickly put this game beyond Austria.

That said, this bet also covers Argentina winning the game and conceding, for example in a 2-1 victory.

Romano from range

Argentina’s defence was so organised in their opener with Algeria that their African opponents were often limited to striking from distance, with four of their seven shots coming from outside of the box.

An intriguing betting angle to look at in this for Austrian winger Romano Schmid to have a shot on target at 12/5. A book that features from outside the box may also hold the the added betting value.

Schmid opened the scoring with a strike from outside of the box in Austria’s win over Jordan. If space and opportunities are limited when attacking the Argentina back line, he may be tempted to have a crack from distance again.

In the Bundesliga last season, Werder Bremen man Schmid averaged 1.7 shots per game and 0.7 shots from outside of the box per game, managing four goals and eight assists for his side.

Phillipe Mwene to be booked

Referee Amin Mohamed took charge of the Group A contest between South Korea and Czechia last week although he only showed one card in the game. But he did blow up for 25 fouls in the match.

The Austria full-backs in particular are worth considering in card betting.

But he was not entirely lenient, having also whistled for 25 fouls in the match, and the Austria full-backs in particular are worth considering in the fouls betting.

it is worth getting behind Austria left-back Phillipp Mwene to commit at least two fouls at a more reasonable 6/4.

Crucially, Mwene could well be tasked with handling Messi if the Argentina star drifts out to the right and Messi has drawn 1.7 fouls per game in MLS this season.

Argentina vs Austria latest odds

Find the latest Argentina vs Austria betting odds here. Odds are provided by BOYLE Sports and are subject to change.

Argentina – 2/5
Draw – 16/5
Austria – 6/1

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