Lionel Messi has set a new World Cup record after scoring the winner for Argentina in the 3-1 triumph over Jordan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final Group J match on Sunday 28 June, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States (US).
After coming on for the White and Sky Blue, Messi netted the third goal to emerge the first player to find the back of the net in seven (7) World Cup games consecutively.
Coach Lionel Scaloni made nine (9) changes to the Argentina team who have already won the Group after recording two (2) stunning wins in two (2) encounters against Algeria and Austria, 3-0 and 2-0 respectively.
A free-kick from Real Betis attacking midfielder, Giovani Lo Celso, in the 19th minute, handed Argentina the opener, and, in the 31st minute, Inter centre-forward, Lautaro Martinez, made it two (2) from the penalty spot.
But, ten (10) minutes into the second half, Jordan pulled one back through substitute, Mousa Al-Tamari.
Scaloni turned to his bench and brought on Inter Miami forward, Messi, in the 60th minute as replacement for Martinez, and the former Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) playmaker delivered the third and winner beautifully for the South Americans in the 80th minute.
Messi’s low free-kick twenty (20) minutes after he was introduced into the game found the net with Jordan goalkeeper once again wrong-footed.
With this goal, Messi now has a total of six (6) goals so far in the FIFA World Cup 2026, and, nineteen (19) in total; this feat is coupled with the new record of netting in seven (7) World Cup games back-to-back.
Argentina will now gear up for a round of 32 showdown against Cape Verde, who remain undefeated in the tournament so far.
The Archipelago Country in Africa finished 0-0, 2-2 and 0-0 against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia respectively in the preliminaries.
In one of the other games on Sunday, Portugal struggled against Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida United States (US) as the game ended without a goal.
Results:
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Group Phase) – Sunday 28 June, 2026 |
| Colombia 0-0 Portugal |
| DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan |
| Jordan 1-3 Argentina |
| Algeria 3-3 Austria |
Photo: Lionel Messi celebrates after netting for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last Group J match against Jordan in Texas on Sunday
