Lionel Messi once again proved decisive off the bench as Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 in their final FIFA World Cup Group J match on Saturday, securing a flawless group-stage campaign and heading into the Round of 32 on a high. The Argentina captain, who started the match on the bench after qualification had already been secured, came on in the second half and added his sixth goal of the tournament with a trademark free-kick, reinforcing his status as the competition’s leading scorer.

Argentina had already sealed progression before kick-off and used the match to rotate their squad ahead of the knockout rounds. Despite the changes, the defending champions maintained their dominance, with Giovani Lo Celso opening the scoring in the first half before Lautaro Martínez added another to put Argentina firmly in control. Jordan managed to pull one goal back, but it had little impact on the outcome as Argentina comfortably closed out a 3-1 victory.

Messi’s introduction after the hour mark drew a strong reaction from the crowd in Texas, with the 39-year-old forward quickly making his presence felt. His free-kick goal marked his sixth of the tournament and further extended his lead in the Golden Boot race. Argentina finished the group stage with three wins from three matches, having earlier defeated Algeria 3-0 and Austria 2-0, completing a perfect run in Group J. All of Argentina’s goals across the group stage were influenced by Messi’s presence, underlining his continued importance to the squad despite his age.

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Following the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi could have played the full 90 minutes but chose to prioritise squad rotation and preparation for the knockout stage. Scaloni praised the forward’s decision-making and leadership, noting that his willingness to share minutes reflected his focus on the team’s broader objectives. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso also described the group-stage performance as nearly perfect, while acknowledging the late goal conceded against Jordan as a minor disappointment.

Argentina’s next challenge will be a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde in Miami on July 3, with the debutant side ranked 67th in the world preparing for a daunting test against the reigning world champions. Despite their underdog status, Cape Verde will look to challenge an Argentina side that appears in strong form and high confidence. As the tournament moves into the knockout phase, Argentina’s combination of squad depth, defensive stability and Messi’s continued brilliance positions them as one of the leading contenders for the title.

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