Unstoppable Messi creates World Cup history as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 to top Group J

Lionel Messi’s Argentina secured top spot in Group J with a commanding 3-1 victory over Jordan in their final FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture at Dallas Stadium on Saturday. The win ensured Argentina advanced to the Round of 32 as group winners, while Jordan’s campaign came to an end following the defeat.

The match began at a high tempo, with both teams looking to attack from the outset. Argentina thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute when Lautaro Martínez set up Giovani Lo Celso, but the midfielder’s effort was ruled out for offside.

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Argentina eventually broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after Lo Celso was brought down just outside the penalty area by Abu Taha, earning his side a free kick in a dangerous position. The midfielder stepped up and curled a superb effort into the far corner for his first goal of the tournament and the fourth direct free-kick goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The South Americans doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Lautaro Martínez calmly converted from the penalty spot after the referee pointed to the spot.

From the ‘Hand of God’ to the ‘Feet of Messi’, Argentina blessed with 2 incomparable genius

Jordan came out with renewed intent after the break and reduced the deficit in the 55th minute. Ehsan Haddad picked out Mousa Al-Tamari, who finished confidently to give his side a lifeline.

However, Argentina put the game beyond Jordan’s reach in the 80th minute through another moment of magic from Lionel Messi. The captain curled a brilliant free kick around the wall and into the far corner to restore his side’s two-goal lead and seal all three points. Messi has extended his all-time World Cup tally to 19 goals.

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The victory confirmed Argentina as Group J winners and set up a Round of 32 meeting with Cape Verde. Algeria and Austria also advanced as two of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, while Jordan bowed out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite a spirited campaign.

Messi is first player to score in 7 consecutive WC matches

Lionel Messi has once again rewritten the FIFA World Cup record books, becoming the first player in tournament history to score in 7 consecutive World Cup matches. The Argentina captain achieved the feat with a stunning free-kick against Jordan in Argentina’s final Group J fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi’s scoring streak began during Argentina’s Round of 16 clash at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and has carried over into the 2026 tournament, highlighting his extraordinary longevity and consistency on football’s biggest stage.

Across these seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches, Messi has scored 11 goals, setting a new benchmark for sustained excellence in the tournament’s history.

Messi’s seven-match scoring streak

3 December 2022: Australia (round of 16) 1 goal

9 December 2022: Netherlands (quarterfinal) 1 goal

13 December 2022: Croatia (semifinal) 1 goal

18 December 2022: France (final) 2 goals

16 June 2026: Algeria (group stage) 3 goals

22 June 2026: Austria (group stage) 2 goals

28 June 2026: Jordan (group stage) 1 goal (free-kick)

Colombia hold Portugal to goalless draw

Portugal and Colombia faced each other at the Miami Stadium in the clash of the table toppers for Group K. The epic clash between the giants of Group K ended in a draw with both teams getting one point each, with Colombia ending the group stage as table toppers with 7 points and Portugal finishing 2nd in the table with 5 points.

Colombia created an early chance in the first minute with Luis Diaz having possession of the ball and passing it to Jhon Cordoba, who took the header, but the ball went over the goal post, resulting in a goal kick. With the possession being 50-50 during the 17th minute, Colombia’s Jhon Cordoba nearly missed out on the first goal of the match. Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved the shot on target by Cordoba with his brilliant reflexes.

Colombia continued the momentum with another close chance, but this ball was deflected by Portugal’s Ruben Neves, saving another goal. Portugal earned a free kick during the 24th minute with Cristiano Ronaldo taking the shot, which went straight into the hands of Colombia’s goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Portugal created two chances in the last 5 minutes of the first half, but couldn’t convert them into a proper finish, which could earn them a goal. The match was evenly poised at 0-0 after the end of the first half.

The second half began with two substitutions for Portugal. Joao Neves came in for Ruben Neves, and Diogo Dalot came in for Joao Cancelo. Portugal kept possession of the ball with another header from Joao Felix, passing over the goal post in the 51st minute. Colombia made a dual substitution change with Richard Rios coming in for Jefferson Lerma and Luis Suarez coming in for Jhon Cordoba. Colombia kept pressing and creating chances till the last minute, but those chances weren’t enough to earn them their first goal and seal the match. At 90+1 minute, Colombia’s defender Davinson Sanchez scored a header through a cross, but the goal was ruled offside due to a signal by the referee.

Both the team’s defence was strong enough not to concede a goal in the whole match. As the referee rang the full-time whistle, the match ended in a draw; Colombia being the table toppers of Group K with 7 points and Portugal finishing in 2nd place with 5 points. Colombia will face Ghana in the Round of 32 on July 4, 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will take on Croatia on July 3, 2026.