Argentina Fan? You Need to See What 39-Year-Old Lionel Messi Did to Set Up a Knockout Push

Holy smokes, did you see that?! Lionel Messi, who turns 39 this Wednesday, is out here dropping hat tricks in the World Cup like it’s 2006! Argentina is chasing their second win of the tournament, and guess what, a victory on Monday against Austria means they lock in a spot in the knockout rounds. The stakes? HUGE. This isn’t just some friendly, this is about making noise on the biggest stage, and our guy Messi is showing Father Time who’s boss.

Messi's Still Got It, And Then Some

You gotta talk about it, right? The man, the legend, Lionel Messi. He absolutely ripped it up in Argentina’s opening match, netting a hat trick against Algeria. Think about that for a second: a hat trick, at 39 years old, in the World Cup! Even though the dude spends more time walking or standing still during games these days, when he turns it on, nobody on the planet is as dangerous. His technical skill, those bursts of speed, they’re still world-class. Argentina's whole system is built around unleashing those moments of brilliance, and it worked flawlessly against Algeria. The Emerald City faithful know a thing or two about clutch players, and Messi is delivering on that hype for La Albiceleste.

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Austria's Not Rolling Over, But This Is Different

Now, let’s not disrespect Austria. They’re no slouch, ranked No. 21 in the global standings, and they kicked off their World Cup campaign with a solid 3-1 win over Jordan. They don't have that one superstar, but their roster is full of important role players, like Konrad Laimer from Bayern Munich and David Alaba from Real Madrid. They’re a respectable side and should feel good about their chances to get into the knockout rounds. But let's be real, going up against Argentina, the reigning champions, with a red-hot Messi? That's a whole different beast. Austria is a sizable underdog for this one, and while they might still push for the knockouts, it could come down to their third match against Algeria.

So, here we go, Monday, 1 p.m. ET in Arlington, Texas. Argentina is the -185 favorite on the 90-minute money line, with Austria at +550 and a draw at +310. The Over/Under is set at 2.5 total goals. SportsLine’s expert Martin Green is all in on Argentina for the outright win, and honestly, with Messi playing like this, who can blame him? This game is massive for Argentina's World Cup journey, and with a win, they’re in the knockout rounds. You don't want to miss a second of this action!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.