Argentina rounded off their perfect group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a routine 3-1 triumph over Jordan at Dallas Stadium. Having made nine changes to their starting eleven for the match as the champions largely eased off, the Albiceleste commanded proceedings to finish with nine points to top Group J. Argentina advance to a round of 32 fixture against Cape Verde in Miami.
First half dominance
Argentina went in front in the 19th minute with a sublime free-kick from Giovani Lo Celso past the Jordanian shot stopper for the first time an Argentine striker other than Messi has been on target in the current tournament.
Just 12 minutes later the lead was extended to two when Lautaro Martinez coolly stroked home from 12 yards to double the advantage following a VAR-backed review of Julian Alvarez’s foul in the penalty area. Jordan rallied to offer something in response when Substitute Musa Al-Taamari turned the ball home with a low cross from Ehsan Haddad in the 55th minute to make the score 2-1 and briefly raise hope for the debutants.
Messi makes history
With just under 30 minutes left on the clock, substitute for Argentina Lionel Messi arrived on to an enormous cheer from the Texans at 60 minutes to replace fellow forward Lautaro Martnez and at 80 minutes Messi wrote another page of his World Cup history by bending his signature free kick into the net to seal 3-1.
The goal from the 39-year-old in the 80th minute provided the crowning moment of the evening, taking his tally at this tournament to six and also moved him onto record 19 World Cup goals; having surpassed Klose's tally of 16 for Germany in the last match against Austria.
That strike also set another individual landmark, meaning Messi became the first male player to have registered at least a goal in seven consecutive World Cup games as he wrote history once again.
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