Giovani Lo Celso has waited a long time for this. Named to the Argentina squad for the 2018 World Cup but never given a minute of playing time, then sidelined entirely from the 2022 edition through injury, Lo Celso finally arrived on the biggest stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made it count.
In Argentina’s Group J match against Jordan on June 27, 2026, Lo Celso curled a left-footed free kick into the net in the 19th minute, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead and etching his name into World Cup history. For a player who spent years watching this tournament from a distance, the goal was personal.
“My debut was much more than I imagined,” Lo Celso said, crediting the coaching staff and his family for the moment.
Argentina finished the group stage with a perfect nine points, maintaining the relentless standard Lionel Messi’s squad has set since winning the 2022 title in Qatar.
Eight years in the making
