Lionel Messi came off the bench to create another historic World Cup moment, scoring a stunning late free kick as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 in their final Group J match on Saturday night.
The 39-year-old became the first player ever to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches, while also extending his all-time men’s World Cup scoring record to 19 goals.
Messi started on the bench after Argentina had already secured top spot in Group J, but the pro-Argentina crowd of 70,649 at AT&T Stadium was desperate to see him.
Fans began chanting his name at the start of the second half and roared when he came on in the 60th minute, replacing Lautaro Martínez.
In the 80th minute, Messi was fouled just outside the penalty area and stepped up for a free kick. His low strike skimmed just above the grass, split two Jordan defenders and powered into the bottom-left corner.
Seven straight World Cup games with goal
The goal made Messi the first player in World Cup history to score in seven consecutive matches. He had previously shared the record of scoring in six straight World Cup games with France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho.
Messi’s scoring run began during Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign and has continued throughout the 2026 tournament.
Messi extends all-time World Cup scoring record
The strike was Messi’s 19th World Cup goal, extending his lead as the highest scorer in men’s tournament history.
It was also the 72nd free-kick goal of his career and his 12th for Argentina. Messi now has 123 international goals in 202 appearances, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time tally of 145.
Messi also joined Pelé, Rivellino, Teófilo Cubillas, Bernard Genghini and David Beckham as players to have scored at least two direct free-kick goals at the World Cup since such records began in 1966.
Argentina complete perfect group stage
Argentina controlled much of the contest despite coach Lionel Scaloni making several changes to the starting lineup.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring with a free kick in the 19th minute, becoming the first Argentina player other than Messi to score in this tournament.
Lautaro Martínez doubled the lead from the penalty spot before Jordan briefly reduced the deficit through Mousa Al-Tamari. Messi’s late free kick sealed the win and ensured Argentina finished the group stage with three wins from three matches.
Golden Boot race heats up
For all his achievements, Messi has never won the World Cup Golden Boot. On his sixth World Cup appearance, he now has six goals in the 2026 tournament.
That puts him two goals ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
Messi had been managing a minor hamstring issue with Inter Miami before the tournament, but he showed no signs of discomfort against Jordan.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi could have played the full match but wanted to give his teammates minutes and save himself for the knockout stage.
“Today he could have played 90 minutes,” Scaloni said. “He wanted his teammates to have time on the pitch and to save himself also for what’s coming up now. He doesn’t think so much about the numbers that people are talking about.”
Asked about Messi’s latest milestone, Scaloni admitted it had become difficult to describe his captain’s greatness.
“What you’re seeing, I’m seeing the same thing,” he said. “It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation every single time people ask because I no longer know what to say.”
Teammates inspired by Messi
Lo Celso said Messi’s presence continues to lift the entire Argentina squad.
“I am very happy for him, for the moment he is having,” Lo Celso said. “The truth is that seeing him every day excites and inspires everyone. Seeing him like that is very important for us.”
Argentina had already beaten Algeria and Austria before defeating Jordan, completing a perfect Group J campaign.
The reigning world champions will now begin their round-of-32 campaign next Friday in South Florida, where they face World Cup debutants Cape Verde.
In the expanded 48-team tournament, Argentina would need to play five matches in 17 days to reach the final on July 19.
With Messi once again producing record-breaking performances, Argentina enter the knockout stage as one of the strongest contenders to retain the World Cup title.
