Messi nets again, Argentina earn third WC win
Key takeaways
- The Argentina captain's strike extended his record as the highest goalscorer in men's World Cup history with 19 goals.
- It was his 72nd career goal on a free kick and 12th for Argentina.
- The 39-year-old had been one of only three players to score in six consecutive World Cup games along with France striker Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Lionel Messi came off the bench in the 60th minute of Argentina's World Cup group stage finale against Jordan, celebrating his return with a stunning free kick to seal a 3-1 victory for the reigning champions, who had already wrapped up first place in the group.
The Argentina captain's strike extended his record as the highest goalscorer in men's World Cup history with 19 goals. It also broke the record for scoring in the most consecutive World Cup matches at seven.
It was his 72nd career goal on a free kick and 12th for Argentina. Messi now has 123 international goals -- second all-time to Cristiano Ronaldo's 145 -- in 202 appearances.