ARLINGTON, Texas — Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, extending his all-time record to 19 career World Cup goals and becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 on June 27 at Dallas Stadium.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring with a curling free kick in the 19th minute, the first goal by an Argentina player other than Messi at this tournament. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after a VAR check confirmed a foul. Jordan pulled one back through Mousa Al-Tamari in the 55th minute, but Messi, brought on as a second-half substitute, sealed the win with a low strike in the 80th minute.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to his lineup with the group already secured, dropping Messi to the bench. The victory gave Argentina a perfect Group J record of three wins from three matches, nine points, and a plus-seven goal difference. The match drew an announced attendance of 70,649 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Despite finishing with zero points, Jordan exited their debut World Cup having scored in all three group-stage matches. The knockout rounds of the tournament, co-hosted across North Texas and other North American cities, began June 28.