Argentina completed a dominant World Cup group stage with a 3-1 victory over Jordan in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday. The match was a tune-up for the knockout round, where the champions will face surprise package Cape Verde in Miami.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (second from left) scores his side's third goal on a freekick during the World Cup Group J match against Jordan in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Saturday, Jun 27, 2026. (AP: Photo/Julio Cortez)
Captain Lionel Messi, who leads the tournament's scoring charts with six goals, entered as a substitute and netted the final goal with a free-kick. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez scored the other two for a heavily-rotated Argentina side. Mousa Al-Tamari scored for Jordan, who were already eliminated.
Argentina, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups, topped Group J with nine points. The team now prepares for the last-32 clash against Cape Verde.