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Argentina closed Group J with a 3-1 win over Jordan at Dallas Stadium, as Lionel Messi came from the bench to extend several World Cup scoring records. The result maintained Argentina’s perfect group campaign and kept Messi in front in the Golden Boot race, with the captain again deciding a match despite limited minutes.
Messi’s free-kick late in the second half restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion after Jordan had pulled one back. That goal moved Messi to six strikes at this World Cup and confirmed a historic scoring streak, while also underlining Argentina’s attacking depth before the knockout meeting with Cape Verde at Miami Stadium.
By scoring against Jordan, Messi became the first player to find the net in seven straight World Cup appearances,
collecting 11 goals across that stretch. Five of those came during the final four matches in 2022, and three have arrived in 2026. The 39-year-old now leads the Golden Boot standings by two goals over Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland.
Messi’s strike was also his record-extending 19th World Cup goal, adding further distance from previous marks. The free-kick curled around the wall and into the far corner after Messi had earned the foul on the edge of the area. His impact came despite starting on the bench, as Lionel Scaloni again managed minutes with the knockout rounds in mind.
Scaloni rotated heavily, with top spot already confirmed before kick-off against Jordan. There were nine changes from the 2-0 win over Austria, as Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nico Paz, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi and Giovani Lo Celso all came into the XI. That group offered Argentina’s regular starters a rest while still maintaining control of the match.
Lo Celso marked a first World Cup start with a 19th-minute goal, bending a direct free-kick beyond the Jordan goalkeeper. Lautaro Martinez then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot before half-time. Jordan answered after the break, when Mousa Al Tamari slid Ehsan Haddad’s cross past Emiliano Martinez, just as Messi was preparing to enter the pitch.
Lionel Messi and World Cup reaction from Lionel Scaloni
Scaloni struggled to explain Messi’s sustained level after the Jordan match, admitting repeated questions leave little new to add. "It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that, and I don’t know what to say," Scaloni said when quizzed once again about Messi’s performance. "Today he could’ve played 90 minutes and, without undermining our opponent, he wanted his team-mates to have time on the pitch and to save himself for what’scoming up. He doesn’t think so much about the numbers that people are talking about. The only word that comes to mind is that I’m surprised. "
7 - Lionel Messi is the first player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances (last 4 in 2022, first 3 in 2026). Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/RtmZ0di7wSOptaJack (@OptaJack) June 28, 2026
Argentina squad options and World Cup prospects
Scaloni welcomed the chance to assess Argentina’s wider squad in a competitive situation before facing Cape Verde. "It’s a very positive opinion that I have, especially as I was able to include all the players. This was a goal we always set for ourselves," Scaloni added. "I believe all of them deserve to enjoy coming to a World Cup and playing at a World Cup, and we were able to give them minutes. I think they played quite well in a difficult match.They showed me today that I can count on them. "
The performance from the rotated side, along with Messi’s cameo, offered Argentina further confidence ahead of the last-16 match. Scaloni’s selections showed trust in experienced figures like Otamendi and Tagliafico alongside emerging players such as Paz and Senesi. The coaching staff now hold more information on combinations that could be used later in the tournament.
Cape Verde, Lionel Messi and Argentina’s next World Cup test
Argentina already knew the next opponent before facing Jordan, with Cape Verde confirmed as last-16 rivals at Miami Stadium. The tournament debutants drew all three group games against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, progressing as the first World Cup debutant to reach the knockout stage since Slovakia in 2010, and the first African debutant since Ghana in 2006.
Cape Verde also became the first team making a World Cup debut to remain unbeaten through three group matches since Senegal in 2002, posting one win and two draws. Scaloni acknowledged the scale of that run and the quality it suggests. "Cape Verde didn’t surprise me, because it’s a good team. It’s a tough opponent, one that has already made things difficult for Spain, one of the favourites, as well as for Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. It’s a fast team with quality. "
With Messi chasing further World Cup records and Argentina entering the knockouts on full points, attention now shifts to how Scaloni balances star power and squad depth against Cape Verde. The Jordan win underlined Argentina’s scoring options from set-pieces and open play, while the coaching staff stressed caution against underestimating a disciplined and confident debutant side.
