local
Messi, Argentina take over Dallas Stadium for World Cup group stage game
By JOSH DUBOW | The Associated Press and Charles Nichelson at NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local
· June 18, 2026
· 1 min read
Lionel Messi leads Argentina into Texas after dominating Algeria Tuesday night. Argentina is tied with Austria atop Group J. The winner of Monday’s game will clinch a spot in the knockout round; the loser will still be in position to clinch a spot with a win in its third and final group stage gam...
Key takeaway Messi opened his tournament with a hat-trick to tie the all-time FIFA World Cup goal-scoring record at 16.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The arrival of Lionel Messi and Argentina at Dallas Stadium is set to bring international attention to the city, with the team's Monday game against Austria potentially clinching a spot in the knockout round. As the final group to determine its knockout round opponent, the outcome of Group J will be closely watched by local soccer fans. With Argentina tied atop the group, the match against Austria will be a crucial one, and the noon kickoff time is likely to draw a large and enthusiastic crowd to the stadium. The fact that Jordan, making its World Cup debut, will be playing its next game in California, means that local fans will be focused on the Argentina-Austria matchup, and the implications it will have for the knockout round. As the city prepares to host this high-profile game, local businesses and residents can expect an influx of visitors and a boost to the local economy.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi leads Argentina into Texas after dominating Algeria Tuesday night. Argentina is tied with Austria atop Group J. The winner of Monday’s game will clinch a spot in the knockout round; the loser will still be in position to clinch a spot with a win in its third and final group stage gam...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JOSH DUBOW | The Associated Press and Charles Nichelson at NBC 5 DFW (KXAS) Local. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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