The premium Group J clash of Argentina vs Austria awaits, and both have solid victories in the first round of games, so this match acts as basically a play off for top spot of the group. Lionel Messi confirmed his greatness in the first game with his first ever hat trick at a World Cup, not bad for a players who had apparently played his last World Cup at the last World Cup. Austria’s win over newcomers Jordan had fewer headlines, and they were solid enough, but are they at the Argentina level is the question.
Argentina vs Austria Preview
STATS SUMMARY
RATINGS
The Gurgler’s in-house Ratings system chooses the winner. Using H2H history, World Cup performance history, World Cup qualifying, the last four years of international games, performance against the confederation, and current effort at this World Cup.
| Argentina | 59.2% | Austria | 40.8% |
Ratings says comfortable win for Argentina.
BARELY INTERESTING STATS
Argentina lead the H2H v Austria with a win and a draw.
Since losing to Saudi Arabia at the start of the last World Cup in Qatar, Argentina’s record is W5 D2 (before penalty shootout) and have scored two goals or more in all of those games.
Argentina’s last four games at the World Cup v European nations is WDWD.
Argentina have won eight straight Friendlies since qualifying for the World Cup.
Argentina haven’t lost a game to a European team in all competitions since losing to France in the 2018 World Cup. (W4 D3)
Austria’s record v South American teams at the World Cup is W2 D1 L2.
Overall Austria’s record v South American teams is W3 D7 L11.
It wasn’t all about Messi and attack in their first game, Argentina were third for tackles made.
Senegal had the equal second lowest number of shots in the first round of games with 6 shots.
MATCH PREDICTION
Argentina 3 Austria 1
