DALLAS, United States, June 28 — Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his tournament-leading sixth goal as defending champion Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 here on Saturday, completing a perfect Group J campaign at the FIFA World Cup and advancing to the knockout stage as group winner.
With qualification and top spot already secured after victories over Algeria and Austria, Argentina had little riding on the result. Jordan, making its World Cup debut, had already been eliminated after losing its opening two matches. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to his starting lineup, retaining only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Lautaro Martinez. Messi was rested on the bench, while veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi captained the side. Argentina dominated from the outset and opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Giovani Lo Celso curled a superb left-footed free kick into the top corner, after Jordan defender Mohannad Abutaha conceded a foul just outside the penalty area.
Argentina doubled the lead in the 31st minute. After a VAR review, the referee awarded Argentina a penalty when Marcos Senesi was kicked in the head while challenging for the ball inside the area. Lautaro Martinez converted from the spot to make it 2-0. Jordan reduced the deficit 10 minutes into the second half. Ehsan Haddad delivered a cross from the right and Mousa Altamari slid in to steer the ball beyond Emiliano Martinez. Messi entered the match in the 60th minute to a thunderous ovation from the crowd and capped the victory 20 minutes later with a trademark free kick. The Argentine captain kept his effort low, bending it around the wall and into the far corner to seal a 3-1 win. Messi has now scored six goals in three matches, moving clear at the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot race. The 39-year-old also extended his lead in the all-time World Cup scoring list with 19 goals. The victory marked Argentina’s first perfect group-stage campaign at a World Cup since 2014 in Brazil. Argentina will face Cabo Verde in the round of 32 on July 3.
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