Lionel Messi, coming off the bench, scored a stunning free-kick, marking his sixth goal in the FIFA World Cup 2026, leading Argentina to a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Dallas Stadium. Messi, initially a substitute, was a game-changer after being brought on in the 60th minute, showcasing his brilliance once again.
This match was significant as it was the first time since 2006 that Argentina fielded a World Cup starting XI without Lionel Messi. Despite this, Messi’s 80th-minute free-kick goal made history by scoring in seven consecutive World Cup games, a record unmatched by any other player, and increasing his total World Cup goal tally to 19.
Argentina’s dominance was evident from the start, with early chances and a goal by Giovani Lo Celso in the 19th minute, putting them in the lead. The team continued to press forward, extending their advantage to 2-0 with a penalty converted by Lautaro Martínez after a foul on Marcos Senesi inside the box.
In the second half, Jordan responded with a goal, but Argentina maintained control. Messi sealed the victory with another free-kick goal, curling a shot around the wall to secure a 3-1 win for his team.
