Argentina beats Jordan on another record-breaking night for Messi
With the tranquility of someone who had already secured their place in the next phase of the World Cup and a team full of reserve players, Argentina beat Jordan 2-1 at the AT&T Stadium, in Dallas, Texas, in the last round of Group J. Lo Celso, Lautaro and Messi scored the goals in the first half. Al-Tamari discounted.
The night was once again Messi's. The Argentine star expanded his lead over Mbappé in the overall World Cup goalscoring tally, reaching 19, and became the only player to score in seven consecutive World Cup games.
Albiceleste completed the first phase with 100% success and will have an accessible bracket ahead. The first opponent in the round of 32 will be Cape Verde, who are going through a historic phase by qualifying in their first participation.
Also debuting, Jordan returns home without scoring, but having scored a goal in each first phase match.
The game
Without haste and without responsibility, Argentina started with their foot on the brakes against a Jordan that only qualified for the World Cup.
Lo Celso, who gained a place in the starting lineup with the rotation of the squad promoted by Lionel Scaloni, opened the scoring in the sixth minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. At 18, it was for real. The number 11 took a free kick into the right corner of goalkeeper Abulaila and put Albiceleste ahead.
Argentina extends
Argentina continued exchanging passes in attack. In the 30th minute, Al-Rashdan hit Senesi in the face and VAR called for a review. Referee István Kovács marked the infraction and, when charged, Lautaro Martínez increased the score.
In stoppage time, Otamendi could have scored another, following a free kick against the walls, but the header went wide.
The game resumed and Argentina took the lead, and again, the referee came into action. Lautaro dribbled past the goalkeeper and, with no angle for the shot, crossed for Lo Celso to finish when the flag was already signaling the offside.
Algeria decreases, Messi receives an ovation
Scaloni had already called Messi when Jordan reduced the score. HAddad crossed low from the right side for Al-Tamari, and the number 10 hit it first time, with no chance for Dibu Martínez.
But the goal was a detail in front of those on the edge of the pitch. Lautaro gave way to number 10, and the stands went crazy when Messi entered the match.
What is this, goalkeeper?
Messi needed to leave his goal for the 7th game in a row, and Abulaila contributed to this. In a free kick, the number 10 hit as he wanted. The ball didn't even go through the barrier, and died in the goalkeeper's corner, who couldn't even jump on the ball.
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Source: CNN