Messi's Argentina meet Austria, Jordan and Algeria fight to stay alive in World Cup Group J doubleheader

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland headline Monday's World Cup action, but the Group J doubleheader in the United States carries its own weight: Argentina versus Austria for the group lead, and Jordan versus Algeria in a match that could send one team home early.

Hydration breaks a new tactical puzzle

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted the hydration breaks introduced for the Texas heat have disrupted his team's rhythm, even with the Dallas stadium being indoors. "Everything that I have in my mind can change depending on these 22, 23 minutes," Scaloni told reporters. "It's weird to adapt to that. It's something that, if we do it more, it will become normal." The two-minute pauses, which split each half into roughly three parts, allow coaches to correct mistakes mid-period, an adjustment Scaloni said his staff are still learning to exploit.

Posch cleared to play with protective mask

Austria defender Stefan Posch will feature against Argentina despite breaking his jaw in the opening win over Jordan. Coach Ralf Rangnick confirmed Posch travelled to Los Angeles twice for a custom facial brace and completed full training Sunday. "He is ready to play tomorrow just like every and any other player," Rangnick said, adding a decision on whether to start the 29-year-old Mainz man or use him off the bench would be made later. Posch's availability is a boost for an Austria side searching for their first World Cup knockout appearance since 1998.

Messi closing in on goal record

Messi's hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria tied him with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals, the most in men's World Cup history. Cristiano Ronaldo sits second on 15, with Mbappé and Gerd Müller on 14. A goal against Austria would give Messi sole possession of the record. Scaloni said the defending champions were ready for a "complicated" Austrian team that presses high and plays vertically, noting "at the World Cup there is no easy game."

Austria warned they need their best performance

Rangnick told his squad they would have to deliver the best performance of his tenure to trouble Argentina. "Let's talk about the weaknesses: there are none, not that we were able to observe," he said. "We have to bring our A game tomorrow." Austria beat Jordan 2-1 for the country's first World Cup victory in 36 years and, with three points already, any result against the holders would be a major step toward the last 16. Rangnick, whose side returned to the tournament after a two-decade absence, struck a defiant note: "We will play against all the odds but that means we might cause a surprise."

Jordan and Algeria face elimination stakes

Later Monday, Jordan and Algeria meet at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara knowing defeat could end their campaigns depending on the earlier result. Algeria lost 3-0 to Argentina but coach Vladimir Petkovic insisted his team played well and were only undone by Messi's individual brilliance. "One thing is for sure, we want to try and make sure that our fate is in our own hands," Petkovic said. Jordan coach Jamal Sellami, relieved that the nerves of a World Cup debut have passed, said his side would show a "very respectable face" regardless of the result, pointing out they received no yellow cards against Austria. "Outside the turf, we're brothers," Sellami added of the all-Arab encounter. Jordan's first World Cup point would be historic.