Los Angeles, Jun 28 (V7N) – Defending champions Argentina took firm control of their final Group J match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Jordan 2-0 at half-time despite captain Lionel Messi starting the game on the bench.
Ahead of Sunday's match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that the 39-year-old superstar would be rested from the starting lineup as part of his squad rotation plan before the knockout stage. Even without their captain on the field, the Albiceleste produced a commanding first-half display.
Argentina dominated possession from the opening whistle and finally broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso curled a superb free-kick into the net from just outside the penalty area to give the South American champions a deserved 1-0 lead.
Jordan had little time to recover before Argentina struck again. In the 30th minute, Julián Álvarez was brought down inside the penalty area after a surging run, prompting the referee to award a penalty.
Lautaro Martínez stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick to double Argentina's advantage and put the reigning world champions firmly in control of the contest.
The goal marked Lautaro Martínez's first of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing another boost to Argentina's confidence ahead of the knockout stage.
With a comfortable 2-0 lead at the interval, attention now turns to the second half, where Lionel Scaloni has hinted that Lionel Messi could make an appearance from the bench as Argentina look to finish the group stage on a high note.
END/SMA/AJ
