What the world is saying about Argentina
As of 2026-06-21
Argentina’s title defence has become the Lionel Messi farewell tour. After a hat-trick against Algeria, his brace in a 2-0 win over Austria made him the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history (18 goals, two clear of Klose) and the first man since Jairzinho in 1970 to score in six consecutive World Cup games. The global press frames Argentina as genuine contenders carried by a 38-year-old rewriting the record books, though the earlier refereeing row over his (uncarded) conduct still lingers in rival coverage.
The takes
ESPN· United Statespraise
“Messi makes history” — leads on the 38-year-old becoming the outright all-time World Cup scorer, noting he broke the record after missing a penalty and now sits two clear of Klose.[source]
Opta Analyst· United Kingdompraise
Frames the brace statistically: Messi is the first since Jairzinho (1970) and Just Fontaine (1958) to score in six straight World Cup games, and took seven shots — more than double any other player on the pitch.[source]
Al Jazeera· Qatarpraise
Framed the opener as Messi rewriting history on his record sixth World Cup, noting a successful defence would make him "the first Argentinian captain" to retain the trophy, "one not even the great Diego Maradona could claim."[source]
The Week (citing South Africa coach Hugo Broos)· Indiacriticism
Reported Algeria's FIFA complaint and Broos questioning Messi's non-punishment after his player was suspended: "I don't want Messi to get a red card... but what was the difference between that and Zwane?"[source]
Outlook India (quoting ESPN's Ale Moreno)· Indiacriticism
Asked whether Messi enjoys a "special status that transcends the laws of the game." Cited ESPN's Ale Moreno: "It's 100 percent a red card for Lionel Messi" and a former referee saying Messi was "lucky" to stay on.[source]
ESPN· USApraise
Cast the win as Messi's "El ultimo tango," rolling back the clock at 38. Noted the headwind that only Italy and Brazil have retained the trophy, but said the squad looked "ready to defend their 2022 title."[source]
CBS Sports (Power Rankings)· USApraise
Ranked Argentina 2nd after matchday one, just behind France, calling the 3-0 win "convincing" and centring the verdict on Messi drawing level with Klose as the all-time World Cup top scorer.[source]
Oddschecker / Squawka (bookmakers)· UKneutral
After Messi's hat-trick, bookmakers reinforced Argentina as serious contenders at roughly 8/1 — but still rated them around fifth, behind France, Spain, England and Portugal, for the outright title.[source]
8 takes · all sources linked inline. See also the global sources index.