The Argentine men’s national football team beat Jordan 3-1, wrapping up its World Cup 2026 group stage matches with maximum points.

From the outset, it looked like a match bound for Argentina to do some experimentation. Ahead of the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed star man Lionel Messi was going to start from the bench, as some of the squad’s rotation players were given their chance.

Winger Giuliano Simeone; midfielders Nico Paz, Giovani Lo Celso, and Exequiel Palacios; as well as centerback Marcos Senesi, made their debut from the outset. Attackers Valentín Barco and José López also debuted, albeit coming off the bench in the second half.

The game was also the debut for Argentina’s away kit, with the team having previously used the traditional light blue and white stripped shirt against Algeria and Austria.

Argentina looked dominant from the outset, even if slightly imprecise. The opener came in the 19th minute through a stunning free kick from the edge of the box by Lo Celso.

In the 40th minute, Lautaro Martínez doubled Argentina’s lead from the penalty spot. The chance came after an attacking move by the Albiceleste ended with centerback Marcos Senesi going for a diving header and a Jordan defender kicking him in the face.

Jordan improved in the second half, playing a more attacking game, and managed to cut Argentina’s lead in the 55th minute. A great passing play allowed winger Ehsan Haddad to put a low cross into the box, which striker Mousa Tamari tapped into the bottom of the net.

The crowd erupted at the 60th minute as Messi subbed on, although he initially struggled to make an impact.

However, after being fouled just outside the box, the Argentine captain took the chance in the 79th minute and scored with a free kick to the goalkeeper’s bottom right corner.

This was Messi’s sixth goal in the World Cup, extending his tally as the all-time record goal scorer in the competition to 19. He also became the first player to score in seven straight World Cup games, counting both Qatar 2022 and the current tournament.

“We wanted them all to get minutes, because we felt they all deserved it,” said Scaloni after the game. “They had a great game, even if they hadn’t been playing, so we’re thrilled.”

Another who looked thrilled for the game was Lo Celso, who missed out on a spot in Qatar 2022 after getting injured in the last weeks running up to the tournament.

“I’m very emotional, mostly because of all the work that led to this,” he said. “Debuting at a World Cup and scoring a goal is incredible. I was first called up for the 2018 tournament but couldn’t play, and a lot has happened since then, so today was unbelievable.

Argentina — who became only the second seeded team to win its three group stage games after France — will continue its run in the 2026 World Cup next Friday, facing off against Cape Verde. Considered the tournament’s Cinderella story, the African squad managed to push through after managing a draw in its final group stage match with Saudi Arabia, helped by Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat against Spain.

The two are set to clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on July 3 at 7 p.m. Argentina time.

Cover image: Selección Argentina Twitter