Photo: IANS
Dallas: Lionel Messi came off the bench to strike a brilliant free-kick, which was his sixth goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 at Dallas Stadium to finish the group stage unbeaten.
Messi was named among the substitutes as Lionel Scaloni made nine changes from the team that started their 2-0 win over Austria on Monday. The Argentine great was brought on after an hour and, predictably, stole the show with another fine goal, IANS reported.
Argentina fielded a World Cup starting XI without Lionel Messi for the first time since 2006, when La Albiceleste were beaten in a quarter-final by hosts Germany.
The second half began with Jordan's reaction: after a good collective action from the right, Al-Taamari received a cross back to score the 2-1.
Despite the goal, Argentina continued to control the pace of the game and brought on fresh legs. Captain Leo Messi had his moment and restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion with a free kick on the edge of the box and curled a low shot around the wall to make it 3-1.
Austria and Algeria through to knockouts after six-goal thriller
Algeria and Austria qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after playing out an action-packed 3-3 draw in their final Group J game here at Kansas City Stadium on Sunday.
Sasa Kalajdzic scored a last-gasp equaliser as Austria pipped Algeria to the runners-up spot in Group J. Notably, Austria progressed beyond the group stage for the first time since 1982, while Algeria reached the knockout rounds for the second time following their run in 2014.
With defending champions Argentina already confirmed as group winners, Austria advanced as runners-up, setting up a meeting with Spain at Los Angeles Stadium on July 3.
Algeria, meanwhile, progressed as one of the eight best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland in Vancouver on the same day.