Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 in Dallas.
He curled home an 80th-minute free-kick to score in his seventh consecutive World Cup match, setting a new record.
With top spot already secured before the match, Messi was named among the substitutes as Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to the side that started Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria on Monday. Introduced after the hour mark, Messi once again stole the show with another superb goal.
Giovani Lo Celso gave Argentina the lead early on with a brilliantly struck free-kick before Lautaro Martinez doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.
Jordan, who entered the match knowing they could no longer qualify, refused to give up and pulled a goal back shortly after half-time. Mousa Altamari found the net with an emphatic finish from Ehsan Haddad’s cross, sparking jubilant celebrations.
Messi was introduced soon afterward, and the Argentine captain restored his side’s two-goal cushion with another moment of brilliance. He now leads the adidas Golden Boot race with six goals, two ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Junior, and Erling Haaland.
Argentina will next face Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on Friday.
