Lionel Messi added another FIFA World Cup record to his career after becoming the player with the most goals scored from outside the penalty area in the tournament’s history during Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan in their final Group J match in Arlington.The Argentina captain scored with a free-kick in the 80th minute at AT&T Stadium on Saturday (local time). It was his sixth World Cup goal from outside the box, taking him past Brazil great Rivelino, who had held the record with five.The goal also took Messi’s overall World Cup tally to 19, extending his record as Argentina’s highest scorer in the tournament. He has now scored six goals in the ongoing World Cup.Argentina finished the group stage with three wins from three matches.Messi’s run in this World Cup began with a hat-trick against Algeria, followed by two goals against Austria. Against Jordan, head coach Lionel Scaloni rested the 39-year-old at the start, but he came on in the 60th minute and scored from a free-kick 20 minutes later.With that strike, Messi became the first men’s player to score in seven successive FIFA World Cup appearances.He also became only the fourth player to score in all three group-stage matches of a single World Cup since the current group-stage format was introduced in 1998. The others are Cristiano Ronaldo (2018), David Villa (2010) and Fernando Torres (2010).Argentina also recorded their 50th FIFA World Cup win, becoming only the third nation to reach the milestone after Brazil and Germany.Despite making nine changes to the starting XI, Argentina remained in control throughout the match.Giovani Lo Celso, playing his first World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament through injury, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a curling free-kick.Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded Argentina a penalty for a foul on Marcos Senesi. The Inter Milan striker scored his first World Cup goal.Jordan reduced the deficit in the 55th minute when Musa Al-Tamaari scored from close range after a cross from Ihsan Haddad.Messi’s introduction helped Argentina regain control before his free-kick sealed the 3-1 win.Argentina will face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on July 4. Jordan were eliminated after losing all three group-stage matches, although they scored in each of their games.
