Photographer : La Albiceleste qualifies for the round of 16 beating Austria 2-0
TEXAS, TX, UNITED STATES, August 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Messi is still in his prime. 2 goals (38’ and 90+5’), reaching top scorer for this competition (and many more achievements), has shown he still has it in him. At the Argentinian quarters, the fans roared of excitement.
Match Reaction
"I was there in Kazan (2018 FIFA World Cup). 4-3 for France, eliminated at the round of 16. Our Messi didn’t score that game. We went home, all heartbroken. Then 2022 he was back. We won, we couldn’t believe it. We thought that this was it, his last competition. And now in 2026, he’s been flawless. There is no doubt in our minds that it’s going to be a back-to-back.” - Bekbolat Bekenov, 66, Buenos Aires, photographer
"My grandfather took me to Maracanã in 1970. Three generations later, here we are at World Cup 26. Football doesn't retire - you inherit it." - Carlos Mendoza, 52, Rosario, resident attending with family
"As an Austrian tourist, I came expecting to lose but left respecting these fans' passion. The 2-0 scoreline felt fair, yet nobody booed our team. That's beautiful sportsmanship. We can’t hate a team like Argentina with a god like Messi. Anything he does is beyond this world." - Anna Weber, 34, Salzburg, first-time World Cup visitor
"Qatar 2022 was electric too, but this feels different—being back home on North American soil with Messi still playing at age 39? Unbelievable. No one believed the team or himself would go that far with impressive results" - Jorge Fernández, 45, São Paulo expat living in Miami
The next game will oppose the Argentinian team against Cape Verde on July 4th (coincidently the 200th Independence Day of the United States of America). Despite having shown an impressive start, the Cape Verde team stand slim chances against the current world champions expert says. Most expect Messi not to show for this game and let most of the B-team take the lead.
Match Reaction
"I was there in Kazan (2018 FIFA World Cup). 4-3 for France, eliminated at the round of 16. Our Messi didn’t score that game. We went home, all heartbroken. Then 2022 he was back. We won, we couldn’t believe it. We thought that this was it, his last competition. And now in 2026, he’s been flawless. There is no doubt in our minds that it’s going to be a back-to-back.” - Bekbolat Bekenov, 66, Buenos Aires, photographer
"My grandfather took me to Maracanã in 1970. Three generations later, here we are at World Cup 26. Football doesn't retire - you inherit it." - Carlos Mendoza, 52, Rosario, resident attending with family
"As an Austrian tourist, I came expecting to lose but left respecting these fans' passion. The 2-0 scoreline felt fair, yet nobody booed our team. That's beautiful sportsmanship. We can’t hate a team like Argentina with a god like Messi. Anything he does is beyond this world." - Anna Weber, 34, Salzburg, first-time World Cup visitor
"Qatar 2022 was electric too, but this feels different—being back home on North American soil with Messi still playing at age 39? Unbelievable. No one believed the team or himself would go that far with impressive results" - Jorge Fernández, 45, São Paulo expat living in Miami
The next game will oppose the Argentinian team against Cape Verde on July 4th (coincidently the 200th Independence Day of the United States of America). Despite having shown an impressive start, the Cape Verde team stand slim chances against the current world champions expert says. Most expect Messi not to show for this game and let most of the B-team take the lead.
Claire Cairns
PR3
+44 7943 774236
email us here
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.