Messi scores again as Argentina beat Jordan to finish top of Group J

ISLAMABAD: Lionel Messi came off the bench to score again as Argentina closed out the World Cup group stage with a 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday, sealing top spot in Group J with a perfect nine points ahead of a last-32 meeting with Cape Verde.

The defending champions had already secured qualification, so coach Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to the side that beat Austria 2-0, keeping only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Lautaro Martinez in the starting lineup. Messi, who had scored all of Argentina's goals in earlier wins over Algeria and Austria, was left among the substitutes before entering after an hour to loud cheers in Texas.

Argentina took control early and went ahead in the 19th minute when Giovani Lo Celso curled in a free-kick. The second goal came before the break through a Lautaro Martinez penalty after a VAR review, with Marcos Senesi appearing to be kicked in the face as he attempted a diving header. Jordan pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half through Mousa Al-Tamari, but Messi restored Argentina's two-goal cushion with a free-kick with 10 minutes remaining.

The goal was Messi's sixth of the tournament, leaving the 39-year-old at the top of the scoring charts as the competition moved into the knockout rounds. Argentina's group-stage campaign also included a 3-0 victory over Algeria and a 2-0 win over Austria, with Messi scoring in both matches. The holders will now face Cape Verde, the tournament debutants ranked 67th, on July 3 in Miami.

Scaloni praises Messi's decision

After the match, Scaloni said Messi had been available to play from the start but chose otherwise with the knockout stage approaching.

"But he chose to let his teammates have minutes, he chose to think about what's coming, and that speaks volume about him," Scaloni said.

The Argentina coach wanted his side to join France and co-hosts Mexico on nine points from three group matches, and his team dominated much of the contest in front of a packed crowd at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The atmosphere shifted further after the interval when supporters began calling for Messi to be introduced.

As Messi prepared to come on, Jordan reduced the deficit through Al-Tamari. Jordan, playing in their first World Cup, had already been eliminated after defeats to Algeria and Austria, making Saturday's match irrelevant to their prospects in the tournament.

Lo Celso says focus has shifted to Cape Verde

Lo Celso said Argentina had delivered an almost flawless group-stage campaign, even if the side was disappointed not to keep a clean sheet against Jordan.

"We knew we had very tough opponents, that it wasn't going to be easy," he said. "It's a pity about the goal we conceded today, we would've liked to end with a clean sheet. Still, I think it was a very good group stage. Now the most important part begins. From now on, it's about turning the page and thinking about Cape Verde, who will be a very tough opponent."

Argentina are attempting to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup. Their next test comes against a Cape Verde side that has emerged as one of the surprise packages of the tournament.