Argentina fans erupt when Lionel Messi checks into Jordan clash during World Cup

There is absolutely nothing quite like the atmosphere when the greatest player in soccer history steps onto the pitch at the World Cup. The Argentina national football team had already locked up the top spot in Group J, but the crowd at Dallas Stadium did not care about a meaningless group finale. They wanted to see Lionel Messi, and when the legendary captain checked into the match, the entire stadium erupted into a frenzy.

Argentina fans were LOUD when Lionel Messi was subbed into the game pic.twitter.com/FojkjrSjWH

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 28, 2026

Manager Lionel Scaloni opted to rest his 39-year-old superstar to manage his heavy workload. Even without their captain on the pitch, Argentina took control early. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute, curling a gorgeous free kick into the top corner. Just past the half-hour mark, striker Lautaro Martínez earned his first career World Cup goal by calmly converting a penalty kick following a VAR check, putting La Albiceleste up 2-0 at halftime.

However, the Jordan national football team refused to go down quietly in its final tournament appearance. In the 55th minute, Jordan captain Ehsan Haddad delivered a precise cross to halftime substitute Mousa Al-Tamari, who slotted it home to cut the deficit to 2-1.

With Jordan threatening, Scaloni called upon his ultimate weapon. Messi began warming up near the touchline before officially subbing on in the 59th minute. The iconic forward completely shifted the game’s gravity, orchestrating the offense over his 31 minutes on the field.

The cinematic moment arrived in the 80th minute. Messi scored a free-kick goal to seal a 3-1 victory, ensuring a perfect 3-0 record in the group stage. It marked Messi’s tournament-leading sixth goal of this FIFA World Cup. The defending champions now march into the Round of 32 full of momentum to face Cape Verde on July 3.

With his free-kick goal against Jordan, Messi also became the first player in history to score in 7 consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.

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