Messi Scores Record 19th Goal as Argentina Seal Top Spot in Group J
DALLAS — Lionel Messi came off the bench and scored his 19th FIFA World Cup goal.
Messi had watched from the bench for an hour. Argentina had already secured top spot in Group J at the FIFA World Cup, and coach Lionel Scaloni rested his captain. The crowd cheered when Messi began warming up. They erupted when he entered in the 60th minute.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the first half with a curling free-kick into the top corner. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a video review. The referee consulted the monitor after Marcos Senesi was inadvertently kicked in the head while diving for a header.
Jordan refused to surrender. Mouasa Al Tamari, who had come on as a substitute, finished a swift team move in the 55th minute to make it 2-1. The goal came from Ehsan Haddad‘s excellent cross across the face of goal. Al Tamari started the move and was there to convert it.
“His awareness in those moments is unmatched,” said Enrique Marquez, a football analyst covering the match. “Messi doesn’t just score goals — he decides games. He is so clever and aware of what is happening around him. It is a privilege to watch him do what he does.”The tension shifted when Messi stepped onto the pitch. Every touch drew gasps from the crowd. With 10 minutes remaining, Messi earned a free-kick just outside the box. He looked up and curled a low shot around the wall and past the goalkeeper. The stadium roared.
“You don't bench the best player in history in a World Cup match. But Scaloni knew what he was doing. Messi looked sharp from the first touch. And when he stepped up for that free-kick, everyone in the stadium knew he would score," said Marquez.”
Lionel Messi #10 celebrates after scoring his record 19th FIFA World Cup goal for Argentina against Jordan at Dallas Stadium in Arlington,Texas on June 28, 2026 at 6:21 AM. Photo: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
The goal was Messi’s sixth of the tournament and his 19th overall in World Cups. No player has scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches before him. The former Barcelona forward now leads the golden boot race by two goals.
Argentina finished Group J with a perfect record. They advance to face Cape Verde in the last 32 on Friday in Miami. Jordan, competing in their second World Cup, were eliminated despite a spirited performance.
The victory extends Argentina‘s unbeaten run in the tournament. Scaloni’s side have scored 10 goals in three group matches and conceded only twice. The depth of the squad was evident with seven changes to the starting lineup.
Messi’s record-breaking goal adds another chapter to his legacy. The 38-year-old has now scored in every World Cup match since the 2022 final. His tournament total of 19 goals surpasses his own previous record of 18.
For Jordan, the tournament ends but not without pride. They pushed Argentina and scored a goal that showcased their quality. Al Tamari’s strike was a moment of brilliance in an otherwise dominant Argentina performance.
The last-32 clash against Cape Verde presents a new challenge. Argentina enters as heavy favorites but cannot afford to take their foot off the gas. Cape Verde reached the FIFA knockout stage for the first time in their history.
Messi will likely start that match. Scaloni rested him against Jordan to preserve his fitness for the knockout rounds. The strategy worked.
The crowd in Dallas witnessed history. Messi delivered when it mattered most.