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Argentina’s World Cup campaign has started exactly as many expected — with Lionel Messi firmly in the spotlight. The talismanic forward once again stole the show as La Albiceleste opened their Group J fixtures in emphatic fashion.

Messi, wearing his iconic No.10 shirt, produced a masterclass in Argentina’s first group match, scoring three times in less than 80 minutes against Austria. It was a dazzling display that reminded everyone why he remains one of football’s greatest ever players.

As Argentina prepare for their next challenge, the question arises — can Messi reproduce that same level of brilliance? Given his current form, few would bet against him.

Messi and his teammates are set to return to action at the AT&T Stadium on Monday, 22 June, with the match scheduled to kick off at 6pm BST. A victory would secure Argentina’s place at the top of the group, leaving one fixture still to be played.

Austria, meanwhile, find themselves in a similar position to Algeria in the FIFA world rankings, both sides boasting moments of quality but lacking the overall depth of elite teams. Algeria were completely overwhelmed by Messi’s influence, and Austria could face a similar fate given the strength surrounding him.

What makes Messi even more unplayable is the depth of talent around him. Over-focusing on the Inter Miami star risks freeing up space for other dangerous attackers like Lautaro Martinez — often underrated despite his consistency — and Julian Alvarez, while midfield dynamo Enzo Fernandez provides creativity and drive from deeper positions.

Even if Austria manage to mount counter-attacks, they will run into a formidable defensive unit. The backline, marshalled by Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, is of Premier League calibre, and behind them stands multiple Yashin Award winner Emi Martinez, whose presence adds an extra layer of security.

For Austria, the challenge is immense. Their most accomplished players, such as David Alaba and Konrad Laimer, are primarily defensive by trade, which could limit their attacking threat. While a repeat of Algeria’s heavy defeat seems unlikely, Austria will still have to produce something extraordinary to contain this Argentine side.

David Alaba remains Austria’s defensive leader and will need to be at his very best to marshal the backline. However, Argentina have already shown that when Messi is in this kind of form, even well-organised teams struggle to cope.

Argentina are not entirely immune to surprises — their stunning defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022 remains fresh in memory — but this fixture does not appear to carry the same upset potential. Another hat-trick from Messi may be a stretch, yet his influence on the outcome seems almost inevitable.