In a thrilling encounter at Dallas Stadium, Argentina secured a 3-1 victory over Jordan, with Lionel Messi once again making headlines by scoring his sixth goal of the tournament. Despite starting the match on the bench, Messi's late free-kick in the 80th minute further solidified his status in World Cup history.

Messi's Historic Performance

Messi's contribution not only helped Argentina maintain their perfect record in Group J but also marked a significant milestone in his career. With this goal, he became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup appearances, pulling ahead in the race for the Golden Boot. Argentina had already clinched the top spot in their group, setting up a clash with Cape Verde in the knockout stage.

Key Moments of the Match

The match began with Nicolas Otamendi, wearing the captain's armband in Messi's absence, missing an early chance from a corner taken by Giovani Lo Celso. However, Lo Celso quickly made amends by scoring the opening goal in the 19th minute. After being fouled by Mohannad Abu Taha, Lo Celso converted a free-kick, sending the ball into the top-left corner on his World Cup debut.

Argentina continued to apply pressure, and after Lautaro Martinez hit the woodwork, a penalty was awarded following a VAR review when Nizar Al Rashdan's high boot caught Marcos Senesi. Martinez successfully converted the penalty, extending Argentina's lead. Although Jordan managed to pull one back through substitute Mousa Al Tamari, Messi's late free-kick sealed the victory, marking his record-extending 19th World Cup goal.

With this win, Argentina showcased their depth and talent, as both Lautaro Martinez and Lo Celso stepped up in Messi's absence. Lo Celso's goal made him the first Argentine to score on his World Cup debut since Martin Palermo in 2010, highlighting the team's promising future as they advance in the tournament.