Lionel Messi added another FIFA World Cup record in 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 the final Group J game in Arlington.The Argentina captain scored from an 80th-minute free kick at AT&T Stadium on Saturday (local time). It was his sixth goal from outside the box at the World Cup, passing Brazil great Rivelin, who held the record with five.The goal took Messi’s World Cup tally to 19, extending his record as Argentina’s top scorer at the tournament. He has now scored six goals in the ongoing World Cup.Argentina finished the group stage with three wins from three games.Messi’s streak at this World Cup began with a hat-trick against Algeria, followed by two goals against Austria. Against Jordan, coach Lionel Scaloni rested the 39-year-old early on, but he came on in the 60th minute and scored from a free kick 20 minutes later.With that goal, Messi became the first male player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances.He also became only the fourth player to score in all three group stage games of a single World Cup since the introduction of the current group stage format in 1998. The others are Cristiano Ronaldo (2018), David Villa (2010) and Fernando Torres (2010).Argentina also recorded their 50th FIFA World Cup victory, becoming only the third nation to achieve the milestone after Brazil and Germany.Despite nine changes to the starting 11, Argentina remained in control throughout the match.Giovani Lo Celso, playing in 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 goal at the World Cup.Jordan pulled one back in the 55th minute when Musa Al-Tamaari scored from close range after Ihsan Haddad’s cross.Messi’s introduction helped Argentina regain control before his free-kick sealed a 3-1 victory.Argentina will face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 16 in Miami on July 4. Jordan was eliminated after losing all three of its group stage games, despite scoring a goal in each game.
