Massive Lionel Messi statue unveiled in Argentina
The statue depicts Lionel Messi wearing an Argentina jersey and holding up the World Cup.
ARLINGTON, TX — Argentina is moving on to the World Cup knockout stage once again, locking up a spot in the Round of 32 after defeating Austria 2-0 on Monday, June 22. Who might the defending champions face first?
Lionel Messi nearly broke the men’s World Cup record for goals on a 12th-minute penalty kick against Austria, but his shot sailed wide right. It didn’t take long, though, for perhaps the greatest player of all time to score his 17th World Cup goal. His strike in the 38th minute gave Argentina a lead it didn’t relinquish, before he scored again in extra time.
The 38-year-old opened the 2026 World Cup — potentially his last — with a hat trick against Algeria in Argentina’s 3-0 win. The Inter Miami star has scored all five of Argentina’s goals so far at the World Cup.
Argentina is expected to go far in the tournament, as it’s still ranked No. 1 in the official FIFA World Ranking. The difficulty of its path could change things though, especially in the new, expanded format.
Here’s a look at Argentina’s potential Round of 32 opponents when it heads to the knockout stage:
Shop Argentina World Cup tickets
Who will Argentina play in knockout stage?
The only way Argentina could not finish atop Group J is for Jordan to beat Algeria later on Monday and then defeat Argentina in the group finale on June 27.
Should Argentina go on to win Group J as expected, it would face the runner-up of Group H, which consists of Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Spain has the only win in the table so far, as it defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 on June 21 after Cape Verde’s miraculous 0-0 tie against the World Cup contenders. Cape Verde also tied Uruguay, the favorite to finish second in the group heading into the tournament, complicating the table.
Argentina will likely play Cape Verde or Uruguay in the Round of 32, although Uruguay has a tougher road ahead. Cape Verde’s remaining game is against Saudi Arabia, the weakest team in the group, whereas Uruguay faces Spain, which is still aiming to win the group.
Cape Verde and Uruguay are tied with two points each in Group J, after Uruguay unexpectedly tied both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in the group stage. Uruguay could clinch the second spot with a win over Spain and a Cape Verde tie or loss, which won’t be easy.
Cape Verde, meanwhile, can clinch a knockout stage berth with a tie and a Uruguay loss. If both teams lose, then it comes down to a list of tiebreakers.
Saudi Arabia is still hanging around, too. It needs to beat Cape Verde and hope for a Uruguay loss to Spain to finish runner-up in the group.
When does Argentina play in knockout stage?
- If Argentina wins Group J: Friday, July 3 in Miami – shop tickets
- If Argentina is Group J runner-up: Thursday, July 2 in Los Angeles – shop tickets
Argentina is on track to play on Friday, July 3, in Miami, where Messi plays in the MLS for Inter Miami.
Shop Miami World Cup tickets for July 3
