Can Messi do a Maradona against Austria?

When Argentina take on Austria in their crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J clash in Dallas tonight, Lionel Messi will have the chance to emulate one of Diego Maradona’s most memorable feats in the famous Albiceleste jersey.

Argentina and Austria are not much familiar opponents on the international stage, having met only twice before, both in friendly matches. Yet one of those encounters produced a landmark moment in Argentine football history, particularly for Maradona.

Their first meeting came in 1980 at Vienna’s Prater Stadium, where a young Maradona delivered a stunning performance. The legendary playmaker scored a hattrick as Argentina cruised to a 5-1 victory. It remains the only hattrick of Maradona’s international career, which spanned from 1977 to 1994 and saw him score 34 goals in 91 appearances.

Santiago Santamaria and Leopoldo Jacinto Luque scored the other goals for the reigning world champions in that match.

A decade later, in 1990, the two nations met again in Vienna as Argentina prepared to defend their World Cup crown in Italy. This time, Carlos Bilardo’s side had to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Austria struck first through Manfred Zsak in the opening minutes before Jorge Burruchaga restored parity for the visitors on the half-hour mark.

Tonight’s encounter will mark the third meeting between the two sides and their first-ever clash in a competitive FIFA tournament.

The stakes are high, with both teams entering the match at the top of Group J after impressive opening victories. Austria defeated World Cup debutants Jordan 3-1, while Argentina began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Algeria, inspired by a Messi hattrick.

That hattrick was Messi’s 11th for Argentina and further underlined the remarkable form he continues to enjoy on the international stage. Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, has scored 120 goals in 200 international appearances, the second-highest tally in men’s international football behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 143 goals in 229 matches.

With another hattrick tonight, Messi would not only strengthen Argentina’s grip on top spot in the group and become the highest goalscorer in World Cup history, but also recreate the feat Maradona achieved against Austria 46 years ago in Vienna.