New Delhi: Defending champions Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 on Saturday to end the group stage with three wins from three matches.Giovanni Lo Celso, Lautaro Martinez Lionel Messi Argentina had already secured the top spot in Group J before the game. Jordan, competing in their first World Cup, ended their season with three defeats. Argentina will face Cape Verde in the last 32 on Friday in Miami.
Lo Celso and Martinez put Argentina in control
Despite nine changes to the starting lineup, Argentina still looked comfortable.Lo Celso made his first start at the World Cup and opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a wonderful direct free kick. This is his first goal in the World Cup and the first goal by an Argentine player other than Messi in this World Cup.In the 31st minute, Lautaro Martinez scored a penalty kick to double the lead. A penalty kick was awarded after a VAR review revealed Julian Alvarez had been kicked in the face during a goal-mouth scramble. Not long ago, Martinez hit the crossbar from close range.This is also Martinez’s first goal in the 2026 World Cup. He and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez are the only outfield players to start all three of Argentina’s group games.
Messi comes off the bench to create history
Messi came on as a substitute after Argentina finished first in the group. The 39-year-old came on in the 60th minute, just three days shy of his birthday, replacing Lautaro Martinez.20 minutes later, he scored with a free kick and the score became 3-1.This is Messi’s sixth goal of this World Cup and his 19th in the World Cup, extending his record as the top men’s scorer in World Cup history.This goal also made him the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup games. He scored all five of Argentina’s goals against Algeria and Austria, including his first World Cup hat-trick and a record-breaking brace against Austria.
