Jordan v Argentina
Play By Play
Jordan showed fight in the second period to halve their two-goal deficit at the interval, but Messi’s influence put the result to rest, and sends Argentina through into the knockouts with a perfect record after the group phase, following a 3-1 win at Dallas Stadium (2.13 to 0.74 on xG). The Albiceleste profited from a trio of set-pieces, with Lo Celso getting proceedings under way after 19 minutes - thanks to a perfectly struck free-kick from just outside the area. A foul on Alvarez would then give Lautaro Martinez the opportunity to double their lead from the spot just after the half-hour mark, but Sellami’s changes at the break caused a bit of a turnaround in Jordan's fortunes, as Al Mardi and Haddad combined neatly with Al Tamari to get back in the game with 35 minutes to go. They were denied the opportunity to complete the comeback, however, as Messi gave Scaloni’s side the insurance they were after with a trademark free-kick that snuck in at the bottom corner and left Abulaila rooted to the spot 10 minutes from time. Argentina win the game and the group, which sets them up for a match with Cape Verde in the round of 32 on July 3 in Miami, while Jordan’s first World Cup journey comes to an end. That concludes our commentary of the 2026 World Cup Group J fixture between Jordan and Argentina - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!
FULL-TIME: JORDAN 1-3 ARGENTINA
Abu Zraiq slides into a challenge 25 yards from Emiliano Martinez's goal and plays the ball, but follows through and cleans out Mac Allister to earn a yellow card four minutes after his introduction.
Al Mardi’s inswinging corner-kick is beaten away by the head of Otamendi on the six-yard box, forcing Jordan to retrieve possession deep in midfield.
The fourth official indicates five minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
Jordan’s final substitution of the match comes in attack, and sees Olwan’s number shown on the fourth official’s board alongside Abu Zraiq’s.
Confirmation of the enforced change, which sees Obaid come on in relief of Abu Dahab, who unfortunately requires a stretcher to come off the pitch.
Abu Dahab lets Barco ghost in behind him in an attempt to keep the ball in play near the byline, before putting in a challenge out of desperation that catches the Argentina substitute. It’s a free-kick for the Albiceleste, while the Jordan centre-back appears to have seriously injured himself in the process.
Lopez shifts the ball quickly onto his right foot and drags a low shot from an acute angle past the far post and behind, but Haddad’s touch on the way through gives Argentina the chance to keep possession with a corner-kick.
Argentina are the fourth team since 1966 to score multiple direct free-kick goals in a World Cup match after Japan (against Denmark in 2010), Yugoslavia (against DR Congo in 1974) and Brazil (against Bulgaria in 1966).
Lopez does get the opportunity to appear for Argentina for the sixth time, as Alvarez is given an early rest.
SIMPLY SUBLIME. WHAT ELSE CAN BE SAID?! 3-1 ARGENTINA! Mac Allister, Senesi and Otamendi stand in front of Jordan’s wall to help the angle, which allows Messi to step up and wrap a low strike around the outside of the two-layered barrier and past a motionless Abulaila at the bottom corner! His sixth goal in the 2026 World Cup, the Albiceleste captain has now found the back of the net in seven matches in a row in the tournament!
Jamous’ first contribution in the match is to grab hold of Messi and prevent the Argentina captain from turning 25 yards from goal, giving the Albiceleste a free-kick well within Messi’s range.
Al Mardi whips his well-struck free-kick to the back post in search of Al Arab, but Tagliafico puts in a fantastic diving header to glance away the danger from just in front of his own goal.
Jordan continue to shuffle their deck with 12 minutes to go, taking off Al Rashdan for Jamous, following their impactful half-time changes.
Otamendi charges through the back of Al Tamari rather cynically, which gives Jordan a free-kick in a dangerous position in the left channel.
The final quarter-hour will be a test of patience for Jordan, who will be forced to chase even more as Argentina look to see out the remainder of the game. The debutants will need to make every opportunity - especially set-pieces - count if they wish to ruin the Albiceleste’s perfect record and claw back a result.
A change just after the hydration break for Argentina sees Simeone withdrawn for Barco.
Messi could become the first player to score in seven World Cup appearances in a row, with his current run of six the joint-most, along with France’s Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil’s Jairzinho (1970). Meanwhile, the Albiceleste captain celebrated his 39th birthday earlier this week and would be just the second Argentinean to play in a World Cup match aged 39, after Angel Labruna in 1958 (two games).
Just as was the case in the first half, referee Istvan Kovacs blows his whistle and signals for a hydration break with Jordan a goal behind, this time at 2-1. Sellami will have one last opportunity to ready potential substitutes and encourage the XI on the pitch, while Messi will have an opportunity to assess what he’s seen after being on the pitch for seven minutes.
Always dangerous from a free-kick no matter the range, Messi steps up to the set-piece and whips his effort up and over the wall but fails to hit the target as the ball sails just high and wide of the top corner.
Al Arab stretches out and catches Mac Allister late to earn a yellow card - and give Argentina a free-kick 30 yards out in a central position.
Jordan have shown far more endeavor in the second half, creating 0.64 xG in the quarter-hour since the restart after an output of just 0.10 in the first half. They’ve taken their chance well but will still need to fashion a few more opportunities - while preventing Argentina to find momentum - to claw back a result.
Paz is the third Argentina player to make way at this stage, with Mac Allister filling his spot in midfield.
A roar goes up around Dallas Stadium as Messi is sent into the fray for the final 30 minutes, receiving the captain’s armband after coming on in Lautaro Martinez’s stead.
