Lionel Messi emerged from the bench to claim his sixth goal of the tournament as Argentina completed a flawless World Cup group-stage campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday – issuing an ominous warning to surprise knockout opponents Cape Verde.
The 39-year-old captain, who tops the scoring charts, watched the first hour from the sidelines in Texas before entering to a thunderous ovation. With qualification already secured and top spot guaranteed, Messi’s late free-kick wrapped up a perfect Group J performance, following earlier successes against Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0). The holders now turn their attention to a last-16 tie against the debutants, ranked 67th in the world, in Miami on 3 July.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni revealed that Messi could have started the match but chose to prioritise squad rotation and rest. “He chose to let his teammates have minutes, he chose to think about what is coming, and that speaks volumes about him,” Scaloni said.
Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who opened the scoring with a curling free-kick, described the group phase as near-perfect. “We knew we had very tough opponents and that it would not be easy,” he said. “It is a pity about the goal we conceded today – we would have liked a clean sheet. Still, it was a very good group stage. Now the most important part begins. Cape Verde will be a very tough opponent.”
Argentina made nine changes from the Austria win, retaining only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Lautaro Martinez. Lo Celso broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a set-piece that deceived goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila, who inexplicably moved in the wrong direction. Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot following a VAR review, after Marcos Senesi appeared to be kicked in the face while challenging for a diving header.
Jordan, already eliminated after defeats to Algeria and Austria, pulled a goal back through Mousa Al-Tamari shortly after the interval. However, Messi restored the two-goal cushion ten minutes from time, bending in a free-kick to add to his hat-trick against Algeria and brace versus Austria.
The victory sees Argentina join France and co-hosts Mexico with a maximum nine points. Scaloni’s side now face Cape Verde as they bid to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.