Messi scores in seven straight World Cup games as Argentina top Group J with perfect record

Lionel Messi extended his own World Cup record to 19 goals as Argentina sealed a 3-1 victory over Jordan, finishing top of Group J with a perfect three wins from three.

Messi, introduced as a second-half substitute with Argentina already through as group winners, was fouled on the edge of the box and converted the resulting free-kick with a low shot through the Jordan wall 10 minutes from time. The goal made him the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches and moved him two clear of the field in the Golden Boot standings.

With Lionel Scaloni making nine changes to his starting lineup, it was Giovani Lo Celso who opened the scoring in the 19th minute — the first Argentina player other than Messi to find the net at this tournament. Lo Celso was brought down on the edge of the box by Mohannad Abutaha and got up to curl a fine free-kick into the corner.

Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a VAR check confirmed he had been fouled by Nizar Alrashdan following a shot that had already rattled the crossbar. An early second-half goal from Lo Celso was ruled out for offside, and Jordan gave themselves something to cheer when Ehsan Haddad’s low cross was converted by substitute Mousa Al-Tamari, who pulled one back for a side that at least scored in all three games of their debut World Cup.

That goal brought Messi off the bench, and after an early free-kick from range sailed over, he made no mistake with his second attempt, slotting through the wall to restore Argentina’s two-goal cushion and write another line in World Cup history.