Kathmandu, June 28: Defending champions Argentina sealed top spot in Group J of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Jordan on Sunday morning, advancing to the Round of 32 with a perfect record.
Goals from Giovani Lo Celso, Lautaro Martínez, and Lionel Messi secured Argentina’s third consecutive win of the group stage, while Mousa Al Tamari scored the lone goal for Jordan.
Argentina took the lead in the 19th minute when Lo Celso finished off a well-worked move. Martínez doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 31st minute, giving the defending champions a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into the break.
Jordan pulled one back in the 55th minute through Al Tamari, raising hopes of a comeback. However, Messi, who came off the bench in the second half, put the result beyond doubt with a stunning free-kick in the 80th minute to seal a 3-1 victory.
The win saw Argentina finish top of Group J with a maximum nine points from three matches, maintaining their perfect start to the tournament. Jordan, meanwhile, ended their campaign without a point and were eliminated from the competition.
Argentina will now face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 as they continue their quest to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
