Lionel Messi and his World Champion chums face very modest opponents in this group.
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2022 Tournament | World Cup Index
Argentina
Algeria
This was the perfect start for the defending world champions and their talisman, 38 year-old Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick to equal Miroslav Klose's scoring record in the finals (16). Both teams had goals disallowed for offside in the opening stages but there were no doubts about Messi's curling drive from range that opened the scoring. His second was a simple tap in after the Algerian goalkeeper failed to hold Mac Allister's fierce strike. Another trademark curler from the edge of the box completed Messi's afternoon.
Austria
Jordan
Austria overcame a spirited Jordanian team but they did not have it all their own way. Romano Schmid opened the scoring for Austria in the 21st minute with a terrific strike from distance but five minutes after half-time Jordan drew level thanks to Ali Olwain. Yazan al-Arab conceded an own goal mid way through the second half and deep into added time, Austria were awarded a VAR penalty which Amautovic converted.
Argentina
Austria
Lionel Messi was both hero and villain for his team and finished up becoming the leading World Cup goalscorer of all time. Argentina were awarded a penalty in the 8th minute after Posch and Schlager piled in on Lautaro Martinez but Messi sent the kick wide. Half an hour later Messi scored when Almada let Medina's pull-back go through his legs to tee up his captain. Austria had some chances but always looked second best and in stoppage time Messi pounced again after Julian Alvarez's shot cannoned off the Austrian goalkeeper. The final result: Messi 2 Everyone Else 0.
Jordan
Algeria
Algeria came from behind to secure a win that kept them in contention while debutants Jordan were eliminated. In the 36th minute Al Rashdan seized on a sliced shot from a team-mate to sweep the ball home. After the break Algeria looked the more composed side and after a long period of pressure, Nadhir Benbouali levelled the scores with a header. With eight minutes to go dropped to Amine Gouiri from a corner and he turned it in.
Algeria
Austria
After a six-goal thriller both teams went through to the knock-out stage. The match swung one way and then the other, Arnautovic opening the scoring for Austria (28') before Belghali made it 1-1 (41') with a superb solo run in the box. Sabitzer put Austria back on top 10 minutes after the break but Mahrez made it 2-2 five minutes later . In the third minute of added time Riyad Mahrez put Algeria into the lead which, if it stood at the final whistle would have sent Austria home. Just two minutes later substitute striker Kalajdzic bundled the ball home to level the score. Austria finished in second place while Algeria, with four points in the bag earned a place as one of the highest ranked third place teams.
Jordan
Argentina
The World Champions finished with maximum points, brushing Jordan aside. There were nine changes to the Argentina side who led from the 19th minute thanks to a sweetly struck free-kick by Giovani Lo Celso. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead with a penalty (31'). Jordan, already eliminated, struck back after half-time through Mousa Altamari who buried Ehsan Haddad’s cross (55'). Messi then came off the bench and inevitably got his name on the score sheet in the 80th minute from a long range free kick , his seventh goal in seven consecutive World Cup matches, yet another record for the great man.
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