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Argentina concluded the group stage of the 2026 World Cup with authority: they defeated Jordan 3-1 on Saturday at the , Texas, finishing first in Group J with a full nine points from three matches.
The match began with an albiceleste dominance from the initial whistle. Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a field shot, and Lautaro Martínez extended the lead in the 31st minute from the penalty spot, making it 2-0 at halftime.
In the second half, Jordan reacted thanks to their substitutions: Mousa Tamari, who had just come on in the 46th minute, scored in the 55th minute to make it 1-2 and keep Jordan's hopes alive.
The Argentine response arrived immediately from the bank. In the 60th minute, the coach made three simultaneous substitutions, including the entry of Lionel Messi. The captain quickly sealed the deal: in the 80th minute, he scored the final 1-3, his sixth goal in this World Cup.
The statistics reflected Argentina's dominance throughout the 90 minutes: 73% possession, 12 shots compared to five, four shots on target against one, and six corners to one. Jordan accumulated two yellow cards—Abu Taha in the 17th minute and Al Arab in the 64th—while Argentina received none.
With this result, the albiceleste team concludes the with nine points, eight goals scored, and only one goal conceded, a +7 goal difference that positions it as the strongest team in the group stage.
Jordan, which arrived at the match already eliminated, bids farewell to the tournament with three losses, zero points, and a goal difference of -5.
In the other match of the day, Austria and Algeria drew 3-3, leaving both with four points and competing for the second place in the group, with Algeria still having chances to advance as the best third-place team.
Messi has now scored six goals in this World Cup, following his hat-trick against Algeria and his brace against Austria, making him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.
Argentina has already determined its opponent in the Round of 16: it will face Cape Verde on July 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
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