Lionel Messi may not have started the match, but he still made his mark. The Argentine superstar came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the tournament—the highest tally of any player so far—as Argentina secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Jordan.

The reigning world champions completed the group stage with a perfect record, collecting maximum points from their three matches. Meanwhile, Jordan finished fourth in the standings after failing to halt Argentina's momentum.

With qualification already within reach, Scaloni opted to heavily rotate his squad, making nine changes to the starting XI. Only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Lautaro Martinez retained their places, while veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi wore the captain's armband. Lionel Messi was initially rested and began the match among the substitutes.

The crowd erupted when Messi entered the pitch in the 60th minute, and the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner delivered another moment of brilliance just 20 minutes later. His low free-kick curled around the defensive wall before nestling into the far corner, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing a deserved 3-1 win for Argentina.

World Cup 2026

Jordan - Argentina 1:3 (0:2)
Goals: Lo Celso, 19 (0:1); Martínez L., 31 (penalty) (0:2); Al-Tamari, 55 (1:2); Messi, 80 (1:3)

Jordan: Abulaila; Nasib; Abu Dahab (Obaid, 90); Al-Arab; Abu Taha; Haddad; Al-Rashdan (Jamous, 76); Al-Rawabdeh; Al-Fakhouri (Al-Mardi, 46); Azaizeh (Al-Tamari, 46); Olwan (Shararh, 90)
Substitution: Al-Tamari (from 46); Al-Mardi (from 46); Jamous (from 76); Obaid (from 90); Shararh (from 90)
Bench: Bani Attiah; Al-Fakhouri; Abu Hasheesh; Abualnadi; Al-Rosan; Badawi; Ayed; Saadeh; Al-Dawoud
Yellow Cards: Abu Taha 17; Al-Arab 64; Shararh 94

Argentina: Martinez E.; Senesi; Tagliafico; Otamendi; Paredes L.; Lo Celso (Almada, 60); Palacios Ex.; Nico Paz (Mac Allister A., 61); Álvarez Jul. (López José, 82); Simeone G-o (Barco, 71); Martínez L. (Messi, 60)
Substitution: Almada (from 60); Messi (from 60); Mac Allister A. (from 61); Barco (from 71); López José (from 82)
Bench: Musso; Rulli; Montiel; Martínez Li.; Romero C.; Medina F.; Molina N.; De Paul; Fernandez E.; Gonzalez N.