World Cup 2026 Day 12: Group J Recap

The four nations in Group J played their second matches of the 2026 World Cup in Dallas and San Francisco. Argentina took on Austria in a battle of the top two teams of the group. Algeria and Jordan also played, looking for their first points of the tournament. It was a day of thrilling goals, close contests, and history!

General view inside the stadium during the national anthems before the match

Issei Kato

Argentina 2 - 0  Austria

The top two teams from Group J squared off to start Day 12 at the World Cup. Messi and Argentina took the field in Dallas, a historic state for the team, as it's where legend Diego Maradona played his last game ever for La Albiceleste. Argentina played their normal 4-4-2 "get the ball to Messi" formation. Austria countered with their 4-2-3-1 formation, employing the gegenpressing system that their head coach, Ralf Rangnick, coined, and it gave us a great game.

This game was overshadowed by the fact that Messi needed one goal to take the mantle of top men's goal scorer at a World Cup, and it looked like, inside the first 10 minutes, he would secure that. Argentina won a PK, and Messi took it and hooked it wide. He'd have to wait another 30 minutes until the moment came. After Argentina broke Austria's press, Messi played Facundo Medina wide left. He fired a ball into the box, where Thiago Almada dummied the ball, letting it run to Messi, who smashed the shot home. It was 1-0 Argentina, and Messi had his moment leading into halftime!

Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Austria's Kevin Danso, Nicolas Seiwald, David Alaba, Konrad Laimer and Stefan Posch as he shoots at goal

Issei Kato

Austria tried to get their chances in the second half to equalize, but they only mustered six shots, one on target, which isn't good enough to beat a team with Messi. However, Austria didn't concede a second goal until late into stoppage time. Messi dribbled into Austria's box and had one of his shots blocked by the defenders following him around. Then, with some magic flicks of the foot, Messi forced the ball past defenders and the goalkeeper's legs to make it 2-0 and ice the game.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal

Kai Pfaffenbach

On the 40th anniversary of the "Hand of God" goal that won Argentina a World Cup, Messi made history and helped his team qualify for the knockout rounds. Austria will go into the final matchday with three points and will need to get at least a point against Algeria to make the knockouts.

Jordan 1 - 2 Algeria

Jordan scored their first goal in World Cup history in its first game, and in their second match, it scored again, this time against Algeria. Jordan lined up in a 3-4-2-1 to gain a wide advantage in their attack. Algeria plays a 4-2-3-1 that is all about structure and counterattacks. It proved that Algeria's formation would help them win the day.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Jordan v Algeria - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, U.S. - June 22, 2026.General view of large Jordan and Algeria flags inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Luisa Gonzalez

In the first half, Jordan came out flying but failed to score. Alergia weathered the storm and then controlled the half. With about 10 minutes before halftime, Jordan came alive again. Tamari carried the ball up the right wing and got the ball into the box. After a scramble, Al Mardi struck the ball, powering it past Algria's Zidan in goal. Jordan took their first lead and led into halftime.

Jordan's Nizar Alrashdan celebrates scoring their first goal

Carlos Barria

Algeria continued to keep the majority of the ball in the second half as Jordan began to sit in with the lead. They did so for a long time in the second half, but Alergia broke them finally in the 69th minute. Benbouali headed home a perfect Mahrez corner to tie the game.  Then, inside the last ten minutes, Algeria took the lead from another corner kick. This time, Gouiri tapped home a bouncing ball in the box to help Algeria take a much-needed three points.

Algeria's Nadhir Benbouali scores their first goal

Carlos Barria

Algeria now has three points and will play Austria on its final day of the group stage; both of those teams sit on three points and have everything to play for. Jordan is mathematically eliminated yet, but will have a World Cup swan song against Messi and Argentina.

Day 12, Group J, Round-up:

Group J's day two at the 2026 World Cup will always be remembered as the day that Lionel Messi took the top spot for most goals ever scored at the tournament. He scored goals 17 and 18 in Argentina's win to take the mantle of the top men's goal scorer, passing Miroslav Klose of Germany. His team also tops the group with six points from six. Will Austria or Algeria be able to muster up points on the final matchday to make the knockout rounds?

Day 13 comes on Tuesday with the final matches of matchday two. Groups K and L play their second games. Colombia, England, and Ghana all won their first matches. Can they do it again? DR Congo and Portugal drew, while Uzbekistan, Panama, and Croatia all lost in their first games; will any of them get all three points? Tune in today to find out.