Argentina concluded the group stage of the World Cup in Arlington with a 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday. The match, held at Dallas Stadium, saw Argentina secure the top position in Group J.
The scoring for Argentina included a free kick from Giovani Lo Celso and a penalty from Lautaro Martinez. Lionel Messi, who entered the match as a substitute, also contributed a goal, marking his sixth of the 2026 World Cup and his 19th career goal in the tournament.
Messi’s Record-Breaking Performance
Messi’s goal was notable as it made him the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The 39-year-old came off the bench and scored with a low free kick. This goal also placed him two goals clear in the Golden Boot race, ahead of players like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Jr.
Despite Messi’s late entry, he played for 30 minutes, gaining rhythm and confidence ahead of the next stage of the tournament. His appearance and goal were seen as a positive development for Argentina as they prepare for the round of 32.
The match also highlighted the depth of the Argentina squad, particularly with the performance of Martinez. Martinez, who had not scored in the World Cup previously, converted a penalty and also hit the woodwork twice. His energetic play in the box suggested a striker regaining his form, which could be a valuable asset for Argentina.
Jordan’s World Cup Journey Concludes
For Jordan, the match marked the end of their World Cup campaign, as they had already been eliminated from the tournament after earlier losses. However, they managed to score in all three of their group games during their World Cup debut, a notable achievement for the team.
Mousa Al-Tamari scored for Jordan, providing a moment of history for the debutants. This goal meant Jordan had scored in all three of their World Cup matches, concluding their campaign with a strong showing despite their limitations.
The game saw moments where Jordan genuinely threatened, particularly after their goal. However, Messi’s introduction helped Argentina regain control. The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 victory for Argentina, completing their group stage with a perfect record of three wins.
Looking ahead, Argentina will advance to the round of 32, where they are set to face Cape Verde in Miami. Meanwhile, in other group stage action, Algeria and Austria both advanced to the knockout round after their match ended in a 3-3 draw.
Looking Ahead to the Knockout Stage
Algeria is scheduled to play against Switzerland, while Austria will face Spain in their respective knockout round matches. The group stage concluded with Argentina securing their spot in the next phase of the competition.
The match in Dallas saw some late action, including a free kick taken by Messi in the 90+1 minute, which was headed over the bar by Senesi. The game concluded with five added minutes, during which Argentina maintained possession to see out the victory.
The performance of goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila for Jordan was noted during Messi’s free-kick goal, as the ball found its way into the net. Despite the loss, Jordan’s debut World Cup campaign concluded with them having scored in all three of their group games.
Argentina’s comfortable win in Dallas sets them up for the knockout stage, where they will continue their quest in the World Cup.
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Source: fox4news.com
