Lionel Messi Sets Historic World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Defeats Jordan 3-1/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Lionel Messi came off the bench to score in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The goal extended his all-time men’s World Cup scoring record as Argentina wrapped up the group stage unbeaten.
Lionel Messi World Cup Record Quick Looks
- Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
- Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 in its final Group J match.
- Messi scored his record-extending 19th World Cup goal.
- The 39-year-old found the net with a free kick in the 80th minute.
- Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez also scored for Argentina.
- Argentina had already secured first place in Group J before kickoff.
- The defending champions open the Round of 32 on Friday in South Florida.
Deep Look
Messi Makes More World Cup History
Lionel Messi added another milestone to his legendary career Saturday night, coming off the bench to score in Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Jordan and becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
The goal also extended Messi’s all-time men’s World Cup scoring record to 19 goals as Argentina completed the group stage atop Group J.
Making his first appearance since celebrating his 39th birthday three days earlier, Messi entered in the 60th minute before delivering another trademark moment 20 minutes later.
After being fouled just outside the penalty area, the Argentine captain curled a low free kick through a gap in Jordan’s defensive wall and into the left corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Free Kick Adds to Growing Legacy
The strike marked Messi’s 72nd career free-kick goal and his 12th for Argentina.
It also raised his international scoring total to 123 goals in 202 appearances, keeping him second on the all-time international scoring list behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 145 goals.
Messi had previously shared the record of six consecutive World Cup matches with goals alongside France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil legend Jairzinho. Saturday’s finish placed him alone atop that exclusive list.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the challenge of finding new ways to describe his captain’s achievements.
“What you’re seeing, I’m seeing the same thing,” Scaloni said through a translator. “It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation every single time people ask because I no longer know what to say.”
The goal also made Messi one of only six players since detailed records began in 1966 to score multiple direct free kicks in World Cup history, joining Pelé, Rivellino, Téofilo Cubillas, Bernard Genghini and David Beckham.
Argentina Cruises Despite Resting Stars
Argentina entered the match with first place in Group J already secured, while Jordan had already been eliminated from knockout-stage contention.
Scaloni elected to leave Messi on the bench to manage his workload following a minor hamstring issue that had limited him before the tournament.
Despite not starting, the crowd of 70,649 at AT&T Stadium eagerly awaited Messi’s arrival.
Fans began chanting his name shortly after halftime and erupted again when he started warming up before entering the match in the 60th minute.
His appearance energized Argentina’s attack and capped another comfortable victory.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a free kick before Lautaro Martínez doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the first half.
Messi completed the scoring with his late set-piece finish.
Golden Boot Race Intensifies
Messi now leads the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot with six goals through the group stage.
He holds a two-goal advantage over France’s Kylian Mbappé, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
Despite winning virtually every major individual and team honor during his career—including eight Ballon d’Or awards—Messi has never captured the World Cup Golden Boot. His strong start in this year’s tournament gives him his best opportunity yet.
Lo Celso praised the influence Messi continues to have on Argentina’s squad.
“I am very happy for him, for the moment he is having,” Lo Celso said.
“The truth is that seeing him every day excites, excites and infects a lot. So obviously seeing him like that for us is very important.”
Focus Shifts to Knockout Stage
With the group stage complete, Argentina now turns its attention to the Round of 32, where the defending champions begin the knockout phase Friday in South Florida.
Should Argentina reach the July 19 final, the team could face five matches in just 17 days.
Scaloni indicated there was little concern about Messi’s fitness.
“Today he could have played 90 minutes,” Scaloni said.
“He wanted his teammates to have time on the pitch and to save himself also for what’s coming up now. He doesn’t think so much about the numbers that people are talking about.”
Argentina now enters the knockout rounds with its captain healthy, in scoring form and continuing to rewrite World Cup history.
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