FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi makes more history as Argentina beat Jordan

Lionel Messi scored on a free kick as a second-half substitute, and Argentina delivered a 3-1 World ​Cup victory over Jordan in the Group J finale ‌for each side Saturday (June 27, 2026) at Arlington, Texas.

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Giovani Lo ​Celso and Lautaro Martinez each scored goals ⁠in the first half for Argentina (3-0-0, 9 points), who were one of three teams to finish with a perfect record in ‌group stages along with France in Group I and co-host Mexico in Group A.

Emiliano Martinez ‌did not make a save for Argentina ‌as ⁠one of just two returning starters from a ⁠2-0 victory over Austria on Monday. The side outscored their Group J opponents 8-1.

Argentina will face Cape Verde in the round of ​32 on Friday (July 4, 2026) ‌at Miami Gardens, while Jordan (0-3-0, 0 points) were eliminated. Jordan were outscored 8-3 in their first World Cup.

Messi came on as a substitute in the 60th ‌minute for Lautaro Martinez and scored on a ​free kick through the Jordan defensive wall in the 80th minute for a 3-1 advantage. ⁠The goal made him the first player to score in seven straight World Cup matches while extending his ‌World Cup record to 19 total goals.

Mousa Al-Tamari scored a goal and Yazeed Abulaila made one save for Jordan.

Lo Celso gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when he fired a bending left-footed free kick from the top of the penalty ‌area. Lautaro Martinez made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when ​he scored from the penalty spot after Julian Alvarez was fouled.

Al-Tamari scored for Jordan in ⁠the 55th minute off a cross from Ehsan Haddad, cutting ⁠the deficit to 2-1. It was the first goal Argentina has allowed in the tournament.

Messi, ‌who turned 39 on Wednesday (June 24, 2026), nearly scored again on another free kick from a sharp angle to ​the right of goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.