Argentina Cruise Past Jordan 3-1 as Messi Scores Again in Second Half Cameo

Defending champions Lionel Messi once again delivered a decisive moment from the bench as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 to complete a perfect Group J campaign with three wins from three.

With qualification already secured, Argentina still showed their depth and control, taking the lead in the 19th minute through Giovani Lo Celso , who scored his first World Cup start goal with a brilliant direct free kick.

The advantage was doubled in the 31st minute when Lautaro Martínez calmly converted a penalty, giving Argentina full command of the match before halftime.

Jordan pulled one back in the second half, but Argentina regained control after introducing Lionel Messi in the 60th minute, just days after his 39th birthday and in the same stadium where he recently broke the World Cup scoring record.

Once again, Messi made an instant impact. In the 80th minute, he found the net to extend his incredible tournament form, further strengthening his position as the tournament’s leading scorer.

The goal also marked another historic milestone, as Messi extended his run to seven consecutive World Cup matches with a goal, surpassing legends Just Fontaine and Jairzinho , who previously shared the record.

With this win, Argentina continue into the knockout stage with strong momentum, set to face Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami, where expectations remain high for the reigning champions led by their iconic captain.