<\/p>\n
Supporters of Argentina, including Ines Adami of Dallas (left), celebrate Lionel Messi\u2019s record for FIFA World Cup\u2019s most goals during an invite-only watch party at Argentina 163, a restaurant\/bar in Euless, Texas, June 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
ARLINGTON \u2014 They sang, chanted, stomped, whooped, cheered, hugged strangers and wept.<\/p>\n
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Jubilant Argentina fans draped themselves in blue capes and scarves and ball caps and Lionel Messi<\/a> jerseys as they watched their team take on Austria in the group stage match Monday at Dallas Stadium<\/a> in Arlington.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even before Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal<\/a>, making him the tournament\u2019s all-time scoring leader, the stadium rumbled to a deafening roar. After he scored, fans sprayed water and climbed on tables in the packed stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “Goal!” shouted Francisco Martinez, 45, who flew from Buenos Aires to Texas to cheer for his team. “We love you, Messi.”<\/p>\n Martinez pumped both fists in the air and looked skyward. Around him, fans chanted \u201cMessi, Messi.\u201d Some donned blue and white wigs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Argentina fans celebrate their team\u2019s 2-0 victory against Austria after a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Fervent fans paid exorbitant\u00a0prices for tickets<\/a>, navigated a sometimes confusing system <\/a>and braved the oppressive Texas heat<\/a>. That seemed to matter little Monday to most who were in the stands.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I have never seen anything like this in my life,” shouted Elisa Chiaradia, a 34-year-old personal trainer from Argentina who now lives in Dallas. “The energy is incredible. This is God\u2019s blessing.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Lionel Messi’s historic goals bring Argentina closer to World Cup repeat bid<\/a><\/p>\n Three drummers led thousands in chants of “Vamos, vamos selecci\u00f3n” \u2014 “Let’s go, let’s go, national team.”\u00a0Bass drums, called bombos, are an icon and staple of Argentine soccer.\u00a0<\/p>\n “For us, a fan section without drums isn\u2019t really a fan section,” said Marcos Perez, 41, of C\u00f3rdoba, Argentina.\u00a0<\/p>\n Perez said he and seven friends took four separate flights from Argentina to reach Arlington. “We haven\u2019t slept in three days,” he said, “but we\u2019re happy to be here supporting Argentina.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Fans broke into one song after another, belting out the lyrics to a favorite soccer anthem, “Muchachos,” which honors Messi and Diego Maradona, an Argentinian who died in 2020 and was widely considered one of the game\u2019s greatest.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Juliano Avigail, who was born in Argentina and now lives in Miami, Florida, drove overnight with friends to make the game. Before it began, they grasped beers and clinked plastic cups together. \u201cSalud,\u201d they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We love Argentina. We love Messi,” he said. “We are just so happy.”<\/p>\n Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammate Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez (24) after scoring goal past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) in the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) stands with teammates during the national anthem before a World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi attempts a penalty kick against Austria in the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager dives for a wide shot by Argentina forward Lionel Messi during first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi reacts after he missed a penalty kick against Austria in the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (right) and Austria defender David Alaba celebrate a missed goal attempt by Argentina forward Lionel Messi during first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Supporters watch as Argentina\u2019s Lionel Messi misses a penalty kick against Austria in the first half at an invite-only watch party at Argentina 163, a restaurant\/bar in Euless, Texas, June 22, 2026.<\/p>\n Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News Austria fans cheer in the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match against Argentina on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball against Austria defender David Alaba (8) in the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News A shot by Argentina forward Lionel Messi makes it past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager during first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with midfielder Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez following his goal during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026 , at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina players celebrates a goal by forward Lionel Messi (10) during first half of Monday\u2019s FIFA World Cup match featuring Argentina and Austria in Arlington, June 22, 2026.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammate Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez (24) after scoring goal past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) in the first half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Supporters of Argentina, including Ines Adami of Dallas (left), celebrate Lionel Messi\u2019s record for FIFA World Cup\u2019s most goals during an invite-only watch party at Argentina 163, a restaurant\/bar in Euless, Texas, June 22, 2026.<\/p>\n Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) is fouled as Austria midfielder Xaver Schlager (4) follows on the play during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after missing a shot past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) sprints past Austria midfielder Xaver Schlager (4) during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) attempts a shot on goal during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi is seen during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria, on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) fights for possession against Austria defender Marco Friedl during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Austria midfielder Konrad Laimer (20) pushes Argentina midfielder Nico Gonzalez (15) to the pitch and receives a yellow card during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi dribbles up the field during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria, on Monday, June 22, 2026 ,in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina supporters cheer forward Lionel Messi during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria, on Monday, June 22, 2026 ,in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) and defender Marco Friedl (23) defend a shot by Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Austria midfielder Konrad Laimer (20) presses Argentina forward Nicol\u00e1s Gonz\u00e1lez during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Austria defender Kevin Danso heads the ball over Argentina defender Nicol\u00e1s Tagliafico (3) and forward Nicol\u00e1s Gonz\u00e1lez during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) scores his side\u2019s second goal between legs of Austria midfielder Nicolas Seiwald (6) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) scores his side\u2019s second goal between legs of Austria midfielder Nicolas Seiwald (6) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) scores his side\u2019s second goal between legs of Austria midfielder Nicolas Seiwald (6) during the first half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his second goal against Austria in the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi high fives media after scoring a second time during a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina supporter Katherin Fuentes of Irving reacts to a late goal by Lionel Messi while watching a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria at the Dallas FIFA Fan Festival on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates a goal with midfielder Leandro Paredes (5) during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his second goal during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match against Austria, on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Alejandra Ochoa of Hurst reacts with fellow Argentina supporters after Lionel Messi scored his second goal of the match against Austria during an invite-only watch party at Argentina 163, a restaurant\/bar in Euless, Texas, June 22, 2026.<\/p>\n Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (left) celebrates a goal with teammates during the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Fans and Argentina bench players celebrate as forward Lionel Messi (10) is surrounded after scoring his side\u2019s second goal during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) is surrounded by teammates after scoring his side\u2019s second goal during the second half of a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Angela Piazza\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates his second goal as Austria midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka (17) looks down in the second half of a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes (center) hugs midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (20) and forward Lionel Messi (10) following their side\u2019s victory over Austria in a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina fans celebrate following their side\u2019s victory over Austria in a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina players cerebrate their 2-0 victory over Austria after a World Cup Group J soccer match on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Arlington.<\/p>\n Chitose Suzuki\/The Dallas Morning News Argentina supporters hold up a cutout of Lionel Messi as they depart after watching a FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match victory over Austria at the Dallas FIFA Fan Festival on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n Outnumbered Austrian fans, who wore red and white jerseys, said the stadium was unlike any other.\u00a0<\/p>\n “This is my first World Cup game, but probably my 300th football match overall,” Sebastian\u00a0Bachmann said. “The stadium is crazy. I\u2019ve never experienced something like this.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Even as Austria trailed, fans remained optimistic. Alex Fiegl of Tyrol, Austria, summed up the challenge facing his team in a few words.<\/p>\n “For Austria, it\u2019s difficult because Lionel Messi is a bit too good for us,” Fiegl said.<\/p>\n Related: Texas heat is taking over World Cup games in Dallas. Here\u2019s how to stay safe<\/a><\/p>\n Some were still scrambling for tickets minutes before the game began. Some fans said single tickets were running for as much as $5,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n Blanca Perez, 21, who is originally from Venezuela and lives in Dallas, spent her birthday looking for a way into the match. Perez said she was looking for one or two tickets and was willing to pay about $1,000 for a single seat.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “It has been a great birthday,” she said, “but it can be better if I get a ticket.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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