Jordan 1-3 Argentina: Lionel Messi breaks record as holders finish perfect in group stage
Lionel Messi rewritten the history books yet again as he stepped off the bench to seal a 3-1 victory for Argentina over Jordan, ensuring the reigning world champions marched into the knockout stages with a perfect record.
With qualification from Group J already wrapped up, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to his starting lineup, electing to leave his talismanic captain on the bench at Dallas Stadium. Even with a heavily rotated side, the South American giants quickly exerted their authority. Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute, channelling his absent skipper by curling an exquisite left-footed free-kick past Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.
Argentina’s dominance was rewarded with a second just over the half-hour mark. After a VAR review spotted a foul on Marcos Senesi by Ihsan Haddad in the penalty area, Lautaro Martinez stepped up to confidently convert from the spot, registering his first-ever World Cup goal and giving La Albiceleste a commanding halftime lead.
Faced with an overwhelming footballing superpower, World Cup debutants Jordan refused to fold. Introduced at the interval, star winger Musa Al-Taamari instantly transformed his side’s attacking intent. Ten minutes into the second half, a brilliant team move culminated in an inviting low cross from Haddad, which Al-Taamari expertly slid home at the far post to send the Jordanian fans into absolute raptures.
Sensing a shift in momentum, Scaloni called upon his ultimate weapon on the hour mark. Messi’s introduction calmed Argentine nerves and ultimately killed off the contest. In the 80th minute, the 39-year-old maestro won a free-kick 22 yards out and executed a flawless, low, bending strike into the back of the net to restore the two-goal cushion.
The goal marked Messi’s sixth of the 2026 tournament and his 19th overall in World Cup finals. More remarkably, it made him the first player in tournament history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
While Jordan exit their maiden World Cup campaign without a point, the Asian nation leaves with immense pride, having scored in all three of their group matches. Argentina now travel to Miami, where they will face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday as heavy favourites to continue their title defence
