28/06/2026 07:24 - Deportes
The Argentina National Team, current world champions and favorites to lift the trophy again, defeated Jordan 3-1 at Dallas Stadium in the third round of Group J at the 2026 World Cup. Manager Lionel Scaloni rotated the squad, and Lionel Messi shined coming off the bench.
The match, played on June 27, 2026 at 11:00 PM Argentine time, marked the World Cup debut for several players: Giovani Lo Celso (midfielder for Real Betis, Spain), Lucas Senesi (defender for Bournemouth, England), Giuliano Simeone (son of legendary Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone), and Nicolás Paz (young talent from Real Madrid's academy) all stepped onto a World Cup pitch for the first time.
| Team | Points | Goal Diff. |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 9 | +8 |
| Jordan | 0 | -8 |
Argentina finishes first with a perfect record (9 points from 3 wins) and advances to the Round of 32.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 years old on June 24, 2026 (just three days before this match), came on in the second half and once again demonstrated why he is widely considered the greatest footballer of all time. His free kick goal not only sealed Argentina's victory but also maintained his status as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 19 goals, surpassing legends like Miroslav Klose (16) and Ronaldo Nazário (15).
The Argentine captain ended a streak of 24 consecutive World Cup starts, a strategic decision by Scaloni to preserve him for the knockout rounds. This was the first time Messi did not start a World Cup match since the quarter-finals of Germany 2006—a span of 20 years.
Messi's World Cup tally (all-time record)
Players made their World Cup debut in this match
Consecutive starts streak for Messi ended
Jordan played their first-ever World Cup match in this tournament, a monumental achievement for a nation of 11 million inhabitants located in the Middle East. The country is famous worldwide for Petra, an ancient archaeological city carved into rose-red cliffs and designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The Jordanian national team, nicknamed "Al-Nashama" (The Braves), earned their World Cup spot after an outstanding campaign at the 2023 Asian Cup, where they reached the semi-finals. Although they finished Group J without points, their participation represents a historic milestone for Jordanian football.
Argentina's opponent for the Round of 32 is now confirmed: they will face Cape Verde on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM Argentine time (6:00 PM Eastern US time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa with a population of just 600,000, qualified as runners-up of Group H with 3 points after a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia. This will be the first-ever official match between Argentina and the African nation.
Miami connection: The city is home to the largest Argentine diaspora community in the United States, with over 100,000 Argentine residents. The match will feel like a home game for La Scaloneta.
At the post-match press conference, Lionel Scaloni emphasized the importance of giving playing time to all squad members: "It's fundamental that everyone feels part of this group. The World Cup is long, and we need everyone ready."
Giuliano Simeone, making his World Cup debut, expressed his emotion: "I've dreamed of this moment since I was a child. Wearing this shirt is the greatest pride." The 21-year-old plays for Atlético Madrid (ironically coached by his father) and is considered one of Argentina's most promising young talents.
Giovani Lo Celso, author of the opening goal and finally healthy after years of injury struggles, praised the team's work: "The team has been working very well, and today the result showed. Personally, scoring in a World Cup after everything I've been through is indescribable."
Alfredo S. Quiroga
