Lionel Messi added another chapter to his remarkable World Cup career after coming off the bench to score as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 and completed the group stage with a perfect record.
Already assured of top spot in Group J, Argentina rested several key players before Messi entered the match in the 60th minute to a standing ovation from fans in Dallas.
The 39-year-old capped his appearance with a trademark free-kick, extending Argentina’s advantage and setting two more World Cup records.
Messi reaches new milestones
Messi curled a low free-kick around the Jordan wall with 10 minutes remaining to score his sixth goal of the tournament.
The strike increased his all-time World Cup tally to 19 goals, extending his record as the competition’s highest scorer.
It also made him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
Argentina finish group stage unbeaten
Argentina took the lead through Giovani Lo Celso, who curled a superb free-kick into the top corner in the first half.
Lautaro Martinez doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after a video assistant referee review awarded a spot-kick when Marcos Senesi was accidentally kicked in the head while attempting a header.
Jordan responded early in the second half with a well-worked move finished by Mousa Al Tamari after a low cross from Ehsan Haddad.
The introduction of Messi lifted the atmosphere inside the stadium, and the veteran forward sealed the victory with his record-breaking free-kick.
Argentina finished the group stage with three wins from three matches and will face World Cup debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on July 3.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s defeat confirmed their elimination from the tournament after failing to collect a point in Group J.