Messi breaks records as Austria fall 2–0 in Dallas
Messi did what Messi does
Argentina 2–0 Austria on Monday in Dallas, and Lionel Messi scored both goals (2) (3). He was not just good, he broke records. With his double, Messi surpassed Miroslav Klose to become the all-time World Cup top scorer (10). He broke two more world records on the same night (14) (15). The front pages everywhere carried his image (5). And yet, the man was furious after the match, "très en colère," according to French reports, despite the history-making performance (17).
Rangnick: 'two things annoy me'
Ralf Rangnick did not sugarcoat it. After Argentina 2–0 Austria, he said two things bothered him about the performance (4). He did not name them publicly in full, but the frustration was clear. Your team came into the match with a positive mood in camp, but the gap to the top was visible (2). Alexis Mac Allister ran the midfield for Argentina, and the Argentine press praised his display against Austria (3).
Müller calls Messi galactic
Thomas Müller watched Argentina 2–0 Austria and could only marvel. "Es ist galaktisch," he said of Messi, it is galactic. He added: "Am liebsten würde ich gegen ihn spielen und irgendwie probieren, das Gegenteil zu beweisen", he would love to play against him and try to prove the opposite (13). High praise from a World Cup winner.
Alvarez drops a transfer bomb after the match
Julián Alvarez picked the aftermath of Argentina's win over Austria to announce he wants out of Atlético Madrid. "I spoke with people at the club, with those I had to speak with, and the best thing for everyone is a transfer and I want to fulfil my dream" (11) (16). Atlético fired back hard, threatening to report Barcelona: "Todo el mundo sabe que es un club tramposo", everyone knows they are a cheating club (12). Barcelona, Real Madrid, and PSG are all circling (11).
Algeria next, and it is must-win
Austria face Algeria in a crucial group-stage match (1). After the Argentina loss, nothing less than a result will do if your team wants to advance from Group J. The Algeria match is now the entire tournament.
Fan reactions
Austria fans are not in denial, the mood is resignation mixed with awe. A simulated 3D first-person view of Messi's record-breaking goal is making the rounds on r/soccer, and the top comment threads have largely accepted that your team simply ran into a force of nature. Watch the BBC simulation here.
Sources
- 1. t-online.de — Algerien siegt: Fehlgriff von Zidanes Sohn bleibt ohne Folgen
- 2. kicker.de — Was Österreich noch zur Spitze fehlt
- 3. footballinsider247.com — Alexis Mac Allister: How the Argentine media reacted to Liverpool star's World Cup display vs Austria
- 4. kicker.de — Rangnick nach Argentinien-Auftritt: "Zwei Dinge ärgern mich ..."
- 5. ole.com.ar — Las tapas de Messi por el mundo
- 10. ole.com.ar — Todos los récords que batió Messi ante Austria
- 11. theguardian.com — Julián Alvarez sparks transfer frenzy by telling Atlético Madrid he wants to leave
- 12. as.com — El Atleti denunciará al Barça por Julián: “Todo el mundo sabe que es un club tramposo”
- 13. kicker.de — Müller schwärmt von Messi: "Es ist galaktisch"
- 14. fourfourtwo.com — Lionel Messi broke two more World Records vs Austria tonight
- 15. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — Argentine-Autriche: "l'histoire s'écrit sous nos yeux", ces 4 records que Lionel Messi a battu en Coupe du monde
- 16. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — "Je veux réaliser mon rêve": Julian Alvarez annonce vouloir quitter l'Atlético après la victoire de l'Argentine contre l'Autriche