Messi hits 80th-minute free-kick as Argentina surge

Messi sets – Lionel Messi came on as a substitute and scored a low free-kick in the 80th minute to become the first player to net in seven consecutive World Cup games as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Dallas. Antonela Roccuzzo celebrated wildly from the stands, and Argentina

Dallas still felt like it belonged to Lionel Messi long before he touched the ball. At AT&T Stadium. the crowd began chanting his name as the second half started. then cheered even louder when he came on to warm up. Three days after his 39th birthday. he walked on in Argentina’s game against Jordan—and a moment later the history rolled in.

Messi’s record reached a new height in the 80th minute. The Argentina captain picked himself up after being fouled just outside the penalty area. whipped a smart free-kick low around the wall. and wrong-footed goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila to put his side 3-1 up. It was his 19th goal overall in World Cup history. and it made him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup games.

Messi had once been one of only three players to score in six straight World Cup matches—joining France striker Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho—but this latest strike separated him. On the touchline and on the stands. it looked like everyone felt the same thing at once: his wife and childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo went wild as Messi was mobbed by teammates after the goal.

The match had a different rhythm before Messi arrived. He did not start Argentina’s group stage finale against Jordan because first place was already wrapped up. and he entered in the 60th minute after not starting. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez had already scored in the first half to give Argentina a lead against Jordan. who were already eliminated from knockout-stage contention.

Argentina’s early control came after a late shake-up in the lineup. With the group secured, Lionel Scaloni made nine changes, keeping only Emi Martinez and Lautaro Martinez in their places while dropping Messi to the bench.

Lo Celso made an immediate statement when he found space on the edge of the box. Brought down by Mohannad Abutaha. he curled a free-kick that was the first goal by an Argentina player other than Messi at this World Cup. Martinez then came close again—his shot came back off the crossbar—and when Marco Senesi went for the rebound. he was fouled by Nizar Alrashdan. The penalty was awarded after a VAR check, and Martinez converted.

Messi’s late introduction wasn’t the only storyline, either. Argentina had a third moment where the ball ended up in the net just three minutes into the second half. when Lo Celso poked in from Martinez’s cut-back. But the offside flag cut through the celebration as the Inter Milan forward was ruled offside as he ran onto Leandro Paredes’ through-ball.

By the time the game reached Messi’s free-kick. the rest of Argentina’s night was settled: they were already into the next phase. and now they could rest. The final whistle left them with a clear shift in focus—knockout football. Argentina will meet Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday, July 3 in Miami.

For Messi, the night carried the weight of recent limitations, too. He had been dealing with a minor hamstring injury with Inter Miami that slowed him in the lead-up to the World Cup. yet he still found a way to make the record move forward. And in Dallas. Antonela’s celebration in the stands—paired with the roar that followed him onto the pitch—made it feel less like a stat line and more like a turning point.

Lionel Messi Antonela Roccuzzo Argentina vs Jordan World Cup Dallas AT&T Stadium free-kick Yazeed Abulaila Giovani Lo Celso Lautaro Martinez Emi Martinez Cape Verde round of 32 July 3 Miami