Defending champions Argentina national football team can move closer to the World Cup knockout stage when it faces Austria national football team in its second Group J match on Monday, with both sides seeking to build on convincing opening-round victories.

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina's title defense with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win ​over Algeria, drawing level with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the ​all-time ⁠leading scorer in World Cup history, while Austria beat Jordan 3-1 to set up a meeting between the group's two early leaders.

A victory would leave Argentina on the brink of the Round of 32 and could secure top spot in the group if Jordan fail to beat Algeria in the day's other Group J match.

Austria arrive with ambitions of their own after an impressive opening performance under coach Ralf Rangnick and can also move into a commanding position in the group if they overcome Argentina and Algeria do not beat Jordan.

Alaba wary