DALLAS, Texas — Argentina completed its FIFA World Cup Group J campaign with a 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday at Dallas Stadium, finishing the opening stage of the tournament with three wins from three matches and advancing to the Round of 32 as the group’s top team.

The defending world champions controlled much of the match through disciplined possession and efficient finishing, while Jordan briefly threatened a comeback early in the second half before Argentina restored its two-goal advantage to secure the result.

The victory gives Argentina maximum points in Group J and extends the team’s unbeaten run in the tournament. Jordan exits the competition after its group-stage campaign but leaves with valuable experience from its first appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Argentina opened the scoring in the first half after sustained pressure created several opportunities in the attacking third. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso converted a direct free kick from outside the penalty area, sending the ball beyond the reach of the Jordan goalkeeper to put his side ahead. (Argentina vs Jordan)

The South American side continued to dictate the pace after taking the lead, moving the ball effectively through midfield and limiting Jordan’s attacking opportunities. Argentina nearly doubled its advantage on several occasions before being awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee review that confirmed a foul inside the penalty area.

Forward Lautaro Martínez converted the spot kick with a low finish, extending Argentina’s lead before halftime and putting Jordan under increased pressure entering the second period.

Jordan responded positively after the restart, committing more players forward and pressing higher up the field. The tactical adjustment produced immediate results when Mousa Al-Taamari finished a well-worked attacking move to reduce the deficit. (Argentina vs Jordan)

The goal briefly shifted momentum toward Jordan, which created additional attacking opportunities while Argentina adjusted defensively. However, the defending champions regained control after head coach Lionel Scaloni introduced captain Lionel Messi from the bench during the second half.

Messi’s arrival immediately improved Argentina’s attacking rhythm, with the veteran forward creating space between Jordan’s defensive lines and linking effectively with teammates in the final third.

Argentina secured the victory when Messi converted a free kick from just outside the penalty area. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner curled his effort into the upper corner, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance to make a save and restoring Argentina’s two-goal advantage.

The goal also added another milestone to Messi’s World Cup career, further extending his record among the tournament’s all-time leading scorers. Throughout the competition, the Argentina captain has continued to provide leadership and attacking quality while managing his playing time under Scaloni’s rotation strategy. (Argentina vs Jordan)

Scaloni elected to rest several regular starters following Argentina’s earlier qualification for the knockout rounds. Despite the changes, the team’s overall structure remained consistent, with midfield control and disciplined defending limiting Jordan’s opportunities for extended possession.

Argentina’s ability to rotate its squad without a significant drop in performance highlights the depth available to the coaching staff as the tournament progresses into the elimination rounds.

Jordan entered the match seeking a positive result against one of the tournament favorites. Although unable to secure qualification, the Asian side produced periods of organized defending and demonstrated resilience after falling behind by two goals.

Al-Taamari remained Jordan’s primary attacking threat throughout the contest, while the team’s midfield worked to disrupt Argentina’s passing combinations whenever possible. Jordan’s second-half goal reflected the team’s determination despite facing one of international football’s strongest squads.

The defeat ends Jordan’s first FIFA World Cup campaign. While the team leaves the tournament at the group stage, participation represents a significant milestone in the nation’s football history and provides experience that could benefit future international competitions.

Argentina, meanwhile, advances to the Round of 32 with confidence after collecting maximum points during the group stage. The team scored consistently across its three matches while maintaining defensive organization, characteristics that have made it one of the leading contenders for the championship.

The defending champions are scheduled to face Cape Verde in the knockout round. Unlike the group stage, the single-elimination format leaves little margin for error, increasing the importance of tactical discipline and squad depth.

Scaloni has emphasized throughout the tournament that managing player workloads will be critical during the knockout phase, particularly with matches scheduled within short recovery periods. Messi’s reduced minutes in the group stage suggest the coaching staff is seeking to preserve the captain’s fitness for the decisive rounds.

Argentina’s blend of experienced veterans and younger players has been evident throughout the tournament. Senior players have provided leadership in key moments, while emerging talent has contributed to the team’s balanced performances on both ends of the field.

Saturday’s victory also reinforced Argentina’s reputation for efficiency in major tournaments. Rather than relying solely on individual brilliance, the team consistently controlled possession, defended collectively and capitalized on scoring opportunities when they arose.

For Jordan, the tournament concludes with lessons that could shape the program’s future development. Competing against elite international opposition provided valuable exposure for players and coaching staff while demonstrating the progress made by the national team in recent years.

As the World Cup moves into the knockout stage, Argentina remains among the favorites to challenge for another title. The team’s consistent performances during the group phase, combined with the experience of players such as Messi, Martínez and Lo Celso, position the South American side for another deep run in the tournament.

The result in Dallas closed Group J competition with Argentina finishing first and carrying momentum into the next round, while Jordan departs the tournament after a historic first World Cup appearance that marked an important chapter in the nation’s football development. (Argentina vs Jordan)