​Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the tournament as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Texas, warming up for a World Cup knockout clash with Cape Verde. Messi, now the tournament’s top scorer in North America, entered after an hour and curled in a free-kick to seal Argentina’s third goal. Argentina finished group play atop Group J with three wins, having previously defeated Algeria 3-0 and Austria 2-0, with all goals in those games coming from Messi. The holders, led by their 39-year-old talisman, look formidable even in a relatively weak group.
A much-changed Argentina side had taken the lead in the first half through Giovani Lo Celso’s free-kick and a Lautaro Martinez penalty after a VAR review when Marcos Senesi appeared to be struck in the face during a diving header. Mousa Al-Tamari pulled one back for Jordan ten minutes into the second half, though his team’s World Cup campaign was already over after defeats to Algeria and Austria.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made nine changes, keeping only goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and Lautaro Martínez from the Austria win, while Jordan had little to play for in a match that was largely inconsequential for the tournament. Scaloni’s aim was to have his side secure nine points and make a bold statement ahead of facing surprise package Cape Verde, as they chase a record-tying consecutive World Cup triumph.
The Dallas Cowboys’ stadium was full of Argentina supporters, and the South Americans controlled proceedings from the opening whistle. Lo Celso opened the scoring on 19 minutes with a bending free-kick that goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila misjudged. Messi, watching with a broad smile from the sideline, then saw his side double the lead when Martinez converted from the spot after a VAR review.
After halftime, when the crowd urged their captain to enter the fray, Messi prepared to come on as Jordan briefly threatened to alter the rhythm with Tamari’s early second-half strike. The game then settled back into Argentina’s pace, and Messi wrapped up proceedings with a composed free-kick in the final 10 minutes, adding another chapter to his World Cup record.