Lionel Messi scored his sixth goal of the tournament as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 on Saturday to complete a perfect Group J campaign.
With qualification already secured, Messi started on the bench before coming on after the hour mark in Texas. The 39-year-old sealed the win with a free-kick, extending his lead as the tournament’s top scorer.
Argentina finished top of Group J with maximum points after victories over Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. They will now face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Miami.
Coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi could have played the full match but chose to rest.
“But he chose to let his teammates have minutes, he chose to think about what’s coming, and that speaks volume about him,” he said.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring before Lautaro Martinez doubled Argentina’s lead from the penalty spot. Mousa Al-Tamari pulled one back for Jordan, but Messi’s late free-kick secured the victory.
Lo Celso praised Argentina’s strong group-stage performance, saying:
“Still, I think it was a very good group stage. Now the most important part begins.”
Argentina now head into the knockout stage looking to defend their World Cup title, with Cape Verde standing between them and a place in the last 16.
