Argentina maintained their flawless start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory over Jordan in Arlington on Saturday, completing the group stage with maximum points and extending their status as one of the tournament’s leading contenders.
Already assured of qualification before kickoff, the reigning champions showed their quality throughout the contest, controlling possession and creating chances against a Jordanian side playing only for pride after its elimination from the competition.
Argentina thought they had made the perfect start when Giovani Lo Celso found the net in the sixth minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside. The midfielder, however, would not be denied for long.
Lo Celso broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a superb free kick that curled beyond the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
The Albiceleste continued to dominate, with Lautaro Martínez striking the crossbar before VAR intervened to award a penalty following a foul on Nico Paz.
Martínez stepped up and calmly converted from the spot in the 30th minute to give Argentina a comfortable two-goal advantage heading into the interval.
Jordan responded positively after the break and made history in the 54th minute. Musa Al Taamari finished off a flowing attacking move to score his country’s first goal of the tournament and, notably, the first goal Argentina had conceded at the 2026 World Cup.
The strike energized both the Jordanian players and supporters inside the stadium, briefly raising hopes of an unlikely comeback.
Moments later, Lionel Andrés Messi was introduced to a rousing reception from the crowd. The Argentine captain initially threatened from a free kick that sailed narrowly over the crossbar before delivering another trademark moment.
In the closing stages, Messi restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion with a brilliant free kick that curled around the defensive wall and into the net.
The goal marked his 19th career World Cup strike and his sixth of the tournament, further underlining his enduring influence on football’s biggest stage.
Argentina completed the group phase with three wins from three matches, nine points and just one goal conceded.
The world champions will now turn their attention to a round-of-16 clash against surprise package Cape Verde, carrying momentum and confidence as Messi continues to add new chapters to his remarkable World Cup legacy.
