Argentina completed their FIFA World Cup group-stage campaign with a 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday with Lionel Messi coming off the bench to score his 6th goal as the leading scorer of the World Cup tournament.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had kept a number of team players on the bench to keep them fit for the knockout stage. Messi also started the match on the bench.
Even without Messi the defending champions took the control easily, as Giovani Lo Celso, in a well aimed free-kick, scored in the 19th minute.
Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead before half-time, after being awarded a penalty following a VAR.
Jordan’s goal was the only one they could produce when they looked like they were going to make a comeback.
Jordan was already eliminated after losing their first two group games.
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The stand went wild as soon as the hour had elapsed and Messi was introduced as a replacement.
The 39-year-old was spectacular, curling a free-kick into the net with only 10 minutes left. Taking Argentina’s total goals to three.
Argentina had a perfect nine-point run for Group J, after defeating Algeria and Austria, and were ahead of the table.
Messi has netted in all three group stage games, has a hat trick against Algeria, and has now scored a goal in his last game in the Group stage.
After the match, Scaloni complimented his captain, saying that he was in excellent condition to play the field but opted to give his teammates a chance to play more before the knockout stages.
Now the focus is on Argentina’s Round of 32 match-up in Miami on July 3 against World Cup Debutants Cape Verde.
The defending champions will be looking to build on their sterling form with a second World Cup in a row.
Also read: Argentina beat Austria 2-0 as Messi sets new record
