Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi attempts a free-kick and scores his team's third goal during the match at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 to top Group J
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The referee blew the final whistle to bring Jordan's historic World Cup match to a close, confirming reigning world champions Argentina's 3-1 victory over the Jordan national team (Al Nashama) on Sunday at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in the final Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The result secured Argentina top spot in the group with a perfect record and a place in the Round of 32, while Al Nashama bowed out of the tournament with heads held high.
Argentina controlled the opening stages, enjoying 82% possession, and broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Giovani Lo Celso curled a direct free kick into the top left corner beyond Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Laila.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 30th minute after the referee awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
Lautaro Martínez converted from the spot to make it 2-0. Jordan responded positively late in the first half, with Odeh Al Fakhoori unleashing a powerful long-range effort that was blocked by the Argentine defense.
Jordan emerged after the break with renewed energy following the introduction of Mousa Al Tamari and Mahmoud Al Mardi, whose arrivals transformed the team's attacking play and injected confidence.
The pressure paid off in the 55th minute when "Jordan's Messi" Mousa Al Tamari scored a historic World Cup goal, firing a superb left-footed strike into the top left corner past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez after a precise low cross from captain Ehsan Haddad.
Messi caps record-breaking night
Sensing the momentum shifting, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni introduced Lionel Messi in the 60th minute to help secure the result.
Although Jordan's players worked hard to contain him, Messi found the scoresheet in the 80th minute, scoring Argentina's third goal with a direct free kick that beat the goalkeeper.
The goal saw Messi extend his lead as the top scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with six goals.
He also netted his 19th career World Cup goal to strengthen his position as the tournament's all-time leading scorer, while becoming the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
