The Argentine men’s national football team leads its Jordanian counterpart 2-1 after 55 minutes of play.

After going 2-0 down in the first half, Jordan cut Argentina’s lead early in the second. The Middle Eastern team built up a great passing play that allowed winger Ehsan Haddad to put a low cross into the box, which striker Mousa Tamari tapped into the bottom of the net.

In the first half, Argentina took the lead via a stunning 19th-minute free kick from the edge of the box by midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who’s making his  World Cup debut

Lautaro Martínez doubled Argentina’s lead in the 40th minute 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.

Argentina is playing an alternative lineup, with winger Giuliano Simeone at right back and midfielder Nico Paz taking the creative spot of captain Lionel Messi.

The game is also the tournament debut for Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez as a striker partnership. Center back Marcos Senesi is replacing Leonardo Balerdi in the squad.

Messi is on the bench, although he’s expected to enter the pitch some time in the second half.

This is also the debut of Argentina’s away kit, having previously played against Algeria and Austria with the traditional light blue and white stripped shirt.

Scaloni alerted of changes but said he’s out to win

The new lineup didn’t come without warning. On Friday, head coach Lionel Scaloni admitted it could be a game where Argentina tests new ideas.

“If we can, we may take the opportunity to try out other systems,” said Scaloni in the Friday press conference. “Jordan usually plays with five at the back, and that means different kinds of movements. We’ve worked on it and the team could change up.”

However, Scaloni was adamant that the Albiceleste would go out to win, insisting that “playing with [Argentina’s] jersey means you have to go out to play, do it well, and win any time you can.”

Cover image: Selección Argentina Twitter