Lionel Messi came off the bench, curled in a free kick, and walked off the pitch in Arlington, Texas, having just set a record no one in World Cup history has managed before. Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Jordan on June 28 sealed a perfect group stage run for the defending champions, and their 38-year-old captain made sure to leave his fingerprints all over the final result.
What happened on the pitch
Argentina entered their final Group J match already in a strong position, but Messi wasn’t in the starting lineup. He entered the match in the 60th minute, and 20 minutes later, he buried a free kick to make it 3-1.
That goal made Messi the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. His career total in the tournament now sits at 19 goals.
Argentina’s 3-0-0 record in the group stage underscores their credentials as genuine contenders to retain the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
