Giovani Lo Celso became the first Argentina player other than Lionel Messi to score in this World Cup as the defending champions finished the group stage with a three-game sweep after a 3-1 victory over Jordan.
Lo Celso's Free Kick Opens Scoring
Lo Celso, in his first World Cup start, put Argentina ahead with a direct free kick in the 19th minute in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday night (Sunday AEST). The midfielder was tripped just outside the penalty box by Mohannad Abutaha, who drew a yellow card. It was the first direct free kick for an Argentina goal in a World Cup since Messi against Nigeria in 2014.
Messi Adds to Record Haul
Messi added one of his own after entering the game in the second half, and the top scorer in World Cup history extended his mark to 19 goals. The captain had scored all five of Argentina's goals in wins over Algeria and Austria, including his first-ever World Cup hat-trick and then two goals in his record-setting game on Monday. Messi has now scored in seven consecutive World Cup games, breaking a tie with France's Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho for the longest all-time streak.
Martinez Penalty Makes It 2-0
Lautaro Martinez put Argentina up 2-0 when he scored with a penalty kick in the 31st minute. The penalty was awarded after a VAR review showed Julian Alvarez took a kick to the face on a play where his header was deflected over the net by keeper Yazeed Abulaila. Martinez, who was subbed out for Messi, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez were the only players to start all three of Argentina's group matches.
Jordan's Goal and Injury Concern
Jordan's Mousa Altamari, who entered the game at the start of the second half, scored in the 55th minute for Jordan to make it 2-1. However, Jordan suffered a possible injury to Husam Abu Dahab, who went down after an awkward challenge late in the second half. He received several minutes of treatment on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher. "It's a sorry sight on any football pitch," Martin Tyler said on commentary.
Group Stage Dominance
Argentina, with seven wins and two draws in their past nine World Cup games, play in the round of 32 on Friday against Cape Verde. That game is in Miami, the home of Messi's Major League Soccer team. This is the fifth time Argentina has won all of their matches in the group stage, and first since back-to-back tournaments in 2010 and 2014. Argentina have 14 wins, two losses and three draws in their past 19 group games. France and Mexico were the only other squads in this expanded 48-team World Cup to get the maximum nine points in the group stage.
Jordan, the world's 72nd-ranked team, lost all three games in their first appearance in the tournament, and were outscored 8-3. Lo Celso and Martinez both scored their first World Cup goals in the match.
