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DALLAS – One of the world's most popular athletes took the pitch at Dallas Stadium in North Texas on Monday. Lionel Messi and Argentina defeated Austria in the FIFA World Cup.
Thousands of Argentina fans, known for their passionate banderazos pre-match rallies, watched the defending champions in action. It was an action-packed day with a historic milestone for Argentina's captain.
Following a spectacular hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria in the opening match, Messi sat tied with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the most goals in men's World Cup history at 16. His goal during the first half allowed him to claim sole possession of the all-time record.
Messi sealed the 2-0 victory for Argentina by scoring a second goal with just a few minutes left in the match.
WATCH: Argentina vs Austria at Dallas Stadium
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Fans at FIFA Fan Festival Dallas who saw Messi break the all-time World Cup goal record say they're going to celebrate all day and all week!
"It's a dream come true!" one fan said.
The crowd was as loud for Messi's goal as it has been since the free event first opened earlier this month.
"It's like going to the game. Everyone's cheering, everybody's saying the chants," Argentina fan Alfredo told FOX 4's Alex Boyer. "It's an amazing experience."
Much like the crowd inside Dallas Stadium, the crowd at Fair Park was almost exclusively Argentina fans. Blue Messi jerseys were unavoidable.
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All across North Texas on Monday, Argentina fans and non-Argentina fans alike were in awe of Lionel Messi’s World Cup record-setting goal he scored against Austria.
Nearly an hour after the end of the game, a group of Argentina fans were still cheering in the stands at Dallas Stadium. Stadium workers eventually began forcing them to leave.
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Lionel Messi sealed the 2-0 victory for Argentina by scoring his second goal of the match deep into second-half stoppage time.
"I'm very happy because of this victory. This was a very important and tough victory. We worked very hard on it. And that reassures us for what's coming next," Messi said with the help of a translator. "So this is a World Cup. All of the matches are very intense. And all of the teams play well. And we're happy because we have six points and we are qualified."
The official attendance number for Monday's match is 70,649. That's the highest attendance for a World Cup match at Dallas Stadium so far. There were 70,389 fans at the England vs. Croatia match and 69,285 fans at the Netherlands vs. Japan match.
Fans erupt at the FIFA Fan Festival in Dallas as Lionel Messi breaks the record for most career goals in World Cup history.
Lionel Messi made soccer history in North Texas on Monday by scoring his 17th career World Cup goal during the match against Austria, officially surpassing Germany's Miroslav Klose to become the outright all-time leading scorer in tournament history.
Argentina now leads 1-0.
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One of the biggest names in soccer made World Cup history in Texas on Monday.
Lionel Messi shocked fans by sending a crucial penalty kick wide off target at the start of Monday's match against Austria. This missed opportunity prevented him from breaking a record. The game remains scoreless.
There is A LOT of blue inside Dallas Stadium.
The crowd at the Dallas FIFA Fan Fest watch party also seemed to be packed with excited Argentina fans.
Pre-match entertainment hits different in 2026. This robodog is putting on a full show, doing tricks for fans outside Texas Live! and Dallas Stadium before kickoff.
Fans heading to Dallas Stadium for Monday’s Argentina vs Austria match are hoping to witness history. If soccer superstar Lionel Messi can score at least one goal for Argentina, he will break a record for the most all-time World Cup goals.
One of the biggest names in soccer is in North Texas on Monday. Lionel Messi will play for his native Argentina when they meet Austria at Dallas Stadium
Messi has already showed off his skills during the world’s biggest sports tournament. He pulled a hat-trick during Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria. That tied Messi with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most goals in men’s World Cup history at 16.
Just one goal today means Messi will likely claim sole possession of the all-time record.
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One of the biggest names in soccer will play in Texas on Monday.
The Austrian team left the W Hotel in Dallas to head to Dallas Stadium.
Today's match kicks off at noon.
Lionel Messi and his team are leaving their hotel and heading to Dallas Stadium.
Absolute scenes at the parade! This Austrian supporter is calling a bold 3-2 victory over Argentina today. Do they have what it takes to pull off the shock of the tournament?
The Texas heat is no joke, but Austrian fans are finding their own ways to stay cool outside Dallas Stadium!
Red and white shirts have officially taken over the streets of North Texas! Hundreds of Austrian fans are marching in full voice toward Dallas Stadium, completely unfazed by the defending champions.
Thousands of Argentina fans are in DFW, waiting to see the defending champions in action! Here’s what to know about fan events ahead of today’s big match.
Thousands of Argentina fans have arrived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to watch the defending World Cup champions in action today. Ahead of the highly anticipated match against Austria, supporters have transformed local plazas into vibrant, flag-waving celebrations!
Pre-match fan zones and nearby Texas Live entertainment venues are scheduled to open at 9 a.m., offering live music, food and interactive rallies.
Fans heading to Dallas Stadium should plan for heavy crowds and check local event guidelines before the noon kickoff.
Austrian supporters are matching the energy of the defending World Cup champions outside Dallas Stadium, filling the plazas with traditional chants ahead of Monday’s high-stakes Group J matchup.
Many fans will have to rely on public transportation to get in and out of Arlington today. Here’s what to know.
Many fans will have to rely on public transportation to get in and out of Arlington today. Because Arlington does not operate a traditional mass transit system, regional officials have established a dedicated match-day shuttle network to handle the World Cup crowds.
Soccer fans can take the Trinity Railway Express commuter line from Victory Station in downtown Dallas or Central Station in downtown Fort Worth. Trains will drop passengers off at the CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, where a fleet of 125 charter buses will transport passengers directly to the stadium district.
Transit officials note that the shuttle buses are free for anyone holding a valid match ticket, but commuters should expect total travel times from the downtown stations to average about 1.5 hours.
Heading to Dallas Stadium for Messi and Argentina? A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 11 a.m. Plan for delays. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 11 a.m. Monday for several North Texas counties, bringing threats of 75 mph winds, quarter-size hail and localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Fans planning outdoor activities or tailgating ahead of Monday's match in Dallas-Fort Worth should monitor changing conditions and prepare to seek shelter if warnings are issued.
Following Monday afternoon's storms and a heat index up to 106 degrees, an active weather pattern will maintain heavy rain and flood risks across the Metroplex through Thursday.
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A severe thunderstorm watch and a 106-degree heat index threaten Monday match-day activities in DFW, kicking off a week of heavy rain and storm risks across North Texas.
Argentina vs Austria – Group J
France vs Iraq – Group I
Norway vs Senegal – Group I
Jordan vs Algeria – Group J
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It’s day 11 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with four matches taking place in the U.S. and Mexico! Today’s matches are Argentina vs Austria, France vs Iraq, Norway vs Senegal, and Jordan vs Algeria.
The Source: Information in this article comes from fans, event schedules and previous reporting.
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