Lionel Messi entered the match in the second half and delivered a trademark free-kick to secure Argentina's 3-1 victory over Jordan in their World Cup Group J clash in Dallas. The goal, his 19th in World Cup football, came after he had earlier sent a free-kick wide. But when he won a second set-piece 22 yards from goal, the outcome seemed inevitable. He curled the ball around the wall with immense bend, leaving Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila stranded as the ball nestled into the net. It was Messi's sixth goal in three games and his first since turning 39.
Argentina Dominates Early but Jordan Fights Back
Argentina, already assured of top spot in Group J due to FIFA's head-to-head rule, made nine changes to their lineup. Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring with a crisp left-footed free-kick that beat Abulaila, who had stepped too far to his left. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a VAR review, sending Abulaila the wrong way. Jordan, however, refused to be mere spectators. In the 55th minute, Mousa Al-Tamari scored a superb goal, converting a precise cross from Essan Haddad after a clever buildup. The goal gave Jordan a glimmer of hope and set the stage for Messi's entrance.
Messi's Impact and Milestones
Messi replaced Martinez in the 60th minute to a thunderous ovation. His presence immediately lifted the atmosphere, and he soon had his moment of magic. The free-kick was his 19th World Cup goal, adding to his legacy as one of the greatest players in history. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi's impact, saying, "He changes the game in an instant. We are fortunate to have him." The win sets up a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde in Atlanta.
Match Details and Key Moments
Argentina's first goal came from Lo Celso in the 18th minute after a foul on Julian Alvarez. Martinez's penalty in the 32nd minute followed a VAR check for a foul on Marcos Senesi. Jordan's goal came from Al-Tamari, who had earlier missed a chance. Argentina had several other opportunities, with Martinez hitting the bar twice and Alvarez denied by Abulaila. The match was played in front of a partisan crowd in Dallas, with many fans eager to see Messi.
According to FIFA statistics, Messi's goal was the 1,000th in World Cup history for Argentina. The victory extended Argentina's unbeaten run to 12 matches. Jordan, despite the loss, earned praise for their spirited performance, with coach Adnan Hamad stating, "We showed we can compete with the best."
