Full-time in Dallas! Argentina preserve their unbeaten run with a 3-1 victory over Jordan to top Group J. They finish ahead of Austria, who rescued a crucial point against Algeria with a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to secure second place. Despite the crazy 3-3 draw, Algeria also advance to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, heartbreakingly knocking Iran out of the World Cup after unbelievable scenes in Kansas City!

88' Worrying signs here for Jordan. Ibrahim Dahab goes down heavily following a tough collision with Valentin Barco. He remains down on the pitch in considerable pain after making the challenge. The medical staff immediately rush on to tend to Dahab, who is unfortunately carried off the field on a stretcher. Hopefully, the injury isn't as serious as it looks.

78' GOAL!!! Lionel Messi makes an instant impact! Argentina win a free-kick right in classic Messi territory. The captain steps up and masterfully drills a low effort right through the crumbling wall and into the back of the net, leaving the goalkeeper stranded. That is his sixth goal of the campaign, restoring Argentina's two-goal cushion. Simply out of this world! 3-1.

72' The action is back under way after a quick hydration break! Jordan have just under 20 minutes left to pull off a historic draw in Dallas. Argentina haven't looked quite as sharp in this second half, and it will be fascinating to see if Lionel Messi can restore order and inspire them to victory. Meanwhile, the Albiceleste make another personnel change, with Valentin Barco coming on to replace Giuliano Simeone.

58' Scaloni rings a triple change! Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, and Alexis Mac Allister come on to replace Nico Paz, Lautaro Martinez, and Giovani Lo Celso. It's a massive statement of intent from the Argentina manager, introducing the talisman with a significant chunk of the second half still left to play.

55' GOAL! Mousa Al-Tamari pulls one back for Jordan out of absolutely nowhere! Jordan work the ball out brilliantly toward the right flank before a delicious, fizzed cross is delivered right into the six-yard box. Al-Tamari times his run to perfection, sliding in at the back post to tap it home. Game on in Dallas! 2-1.

48' - DISALLOWED AGAIN! Lo Celso has the ball in the net for a second time, but it's ruled out for offside once more. Leandro Paredes played a cheeky, line-breaking through ball to Lautaro Martinez, who took a touch before remarkably missing a clear sitter on goal. He quickly made up for it by squaring the rebound to Lo Celso, who made no mistake, but the assistant referee's flag was already up on the far side-Martinez had strayed offside in the initial buildup.

The players emerge from the tunnel for the start of the second half! There is no movement on the Argentina bench so far, meaning Lionel Scaloni is sticking with his starting eleven. Jordan, however, are preparing a couple of tactical changes at the break, with star men Mousa Al-Tamari and Mahmoud Al-Mardi set to come on to inject some life into their attack.

HALF-TIME IN DALLAS! Argentina hold a very comfortable 2-0 lead at the break, but it could have been far worse for Jordan. It is only 2-0 thanks to the heroics of their goalkeeper, Yazeed Abu Laila, who pulled off a couple of sharp saves late in the half to prevent the world champions from further solidifying their utter dominance.

Huge news filtering in from the other Group J match! Algeria have equalized through Belghalli, canceling out Marko Arnautovic's early opener for Austria. As things stand, this completely flips the live standings: Algeria are now heading to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, while Iran are set to be eliminated.

38' - Tremendous burst of pace from Nico Paz! The youngster showcases his electric speed, skipping past a couple of defenders down the flank before flashing a low cross toward the center. Jordan manage to recover just in time, with a defender scrambling it away for an Argentina throw-in.

31' - GOAL!!! Lautaro Martinez calmly converts from the spot! The Inter Milan captain steps up and coolly fires the ball into the right side of the net, sending Yazeed Abu Laila completely the wrong way. He doubles the lead for the defending champions, and Argentina are firmly in the driving seat now. 2-0!

26' - PENALTY TO ARGENTINA! Chaos in the Jordan box! Nicolas Tagliafico fizzes a low cross in for Nicolas Otamendi, who scuffs his initial effort onto the top of the crossbar. Marcos Senesi reacts quickest to head the rebound back toward goal, where Yazeed Abulaila pulls off a stunning save. However, the referee immediately points to the spot after a VAR check for dangerous play-a Jordanian defender caught Senesi in the face with a high boot as he went for the header!

19' - GOAL!!! Giovani Lo Celso fires Argentina ahead from the free-kick! That is his fifth international goal for his country. The Jordan goalkeeper clearly didn't trust his wall and took a fatal step toward his right, allowing Lo Celso to exquisitely curl the ball into the top-right corner. The cameras immediately pan to the dugout, where Lionel Messi has a massive smile on his face! 1-0 Argentina.

10' - Yellow card! Mohannad Abu Taha is the first player to go into the referee's notebook following a heavy challenge on Giovani Lo Celso. Abu Taha felt he won the ball, but it's the dangerous follow-through that has been penalized. Argentina now have a free-kick in a very promising position.

6' - GOAL DISALLOWED! Lo Celso scores, but the flag is up for offside! It's a brilliant team move from Argentina, but the midfielder just timed his run a fraction too early there. Julian Alvarez unpicked the defense with a sensational pass, but Lo Celso's celebrations are cut short by the linesman.

1' KICK-OFF! We are underway in Dallas! Argentina, playing in their iconic Albiceleste stripes, kick off from right to left. The headline news before the whistle is staggering: Lionel Messi starts a World Cup match on the bench for the first time since that infamous 2006 quarterfinal exit against Germany. History being made in Texas tonight!

The national anthems are over and it's time for the on-field action to begin. Without Messi, a different strategy could be adopted by Argentina. They have two No. 9s in their starting XIs in the form of Alvarez and Martinez. Remember, no one has scored for Argentina yet in this World Cup, barring Messi.

We are just minutes away from kick-off as Argentina and Jordan players arrive in the middle. It's national anthem time for both teams before the on-field action begins!

As Group J winners, Argentina's path is set for a Round of 32 knockout clash against Cape Verde at Miami Stadium on Friday, 3 July. Cape Verde have scripted history at this World Cup already by qualifying for the knockouts. Would they able to continued their fairytale run?

Argentina fans have taken over Dallas. What a stunning visual!

Argentine fans just took over Dallas again! Drums banging, flags flying, streets turned into one massive party

The Messi & Argentina National Team effect is unreal . pic.twitter.com/NvNIFPcmXG

— Johnny Cortes (@johnnycortes) June 27, 2026

Meanwhile, Portugal have been held to a 0-0 draw against Colombia in their final Group K match. As a result, they finish runners-up. The result means Portugal and Argentina cannot face each other until the final of the World Cup. No Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo until the final. 

Lionel Messi masterclasses was required in Argentina's both group game so far. The legendary No. 10 helped his team beat Algeria 3-0 in their opener by scoring a hat-trick before they dispatched Austria 2-0. Can Argentina deliver without Messi?

Jordan, who are ranked 72 in the world, have managed to score in both games so far. But, getting the ball past Emi Martinez isn't the easiest of tasks. Argentina's defence has been leak proof for a while now. Jordan would have to pull out a bunny from their hat if they plan to inflict any damage to the Argentina defence.

Lionel Messi has arrived. He is expected to feature in the second half at some point in the game. 

 Leo Messi arrives and starts on the bench against Jordan.

He’s expected to enter in the second half. pic.twitter.com/PO0yqLrmWB

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2026

Argentina start with the front two of Julian Alvarez and Luataro Martinez in attack, while Lionel Messi is on the bench. Here are the starting XIs:

Argentina Starting XI: Martinez, Simeone, Tagliafico, Otamendi (C), Senesi, Paredes, Palacios, Lo Celso, Paz, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez

Jordan Starting XI: Abulaila, Abu Dahab, Abu Taha, Al Arab, Al Rashdan, Al Rawabdeh, Aziazeh, Nasib, Haddad (C), Al Fakhouri, Olwan

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Argentina's final group game of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as Lionel Messi's men take on Jordan. As was expected and confirmed by the Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi would only be on the bench as he looks to give the talismanic No. 10 some rest before the knockout stages begin.