Argentina moved to the top of Group J and secured first place before the knockout rounds with a 3-1 victory over Jordan, highlighted by a record-breaking moment from Messi. Coming on as a substitute, the forward converted a late free kick to reach 19 World Cup goals, setting a new all-time men’s scoring mark in the tournament.
The match had already tilted in Argentina’s favor by half time. Lorcelso struck from a free kick to open the scoring, giving his side early control. Lautaro added a second from the penalty spot before the break, turning the advantage into a two-goal cushion and allowing Argentina to manage the game with more composure in the second half.
Jordan responded through Tamari, who pulled one back to keep some suspense on the scoreline, but the broader competitive picture remained shaped by Argentina’s attacking edge and set-piece efficiency. Messi’s late set-piece goal did more than restore the two-goal margin; it reshaped the World Cup scoring hierarchy and gave Argentina a psychological boost heading into the knockout phase, knowing their main star has just reached a historic landmark while the team has already secured control of the group.
