Lionel Messi did it again. The 39-year-old soccer legend scored a beautiful free kick against Jordan on Saturday night in Dallas. That goal gave him a new record that nobody in World Cup history has ever reached.
Messi became the first player ever to score in seven straight World Cup matches. His 19th career World Cup goal came in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan at Dallas Stadium. The win wrapped up Group J for the defending champions with a perfect 3-0 record.
Messi Scores in 7th Straight World Cup Game
The record-breaking moment came in the 80th minute. Messi stepped up to take a free kick from about 25 yards out. He curled the ball low past the wall of Jordan defenders. The ball slipped just above the grass and into the left corner of the net.
Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila had no chance. The ball split between two defenders and found the back of the net. It was vintage Messi. The kind of goal he has scored hundreds of times in his incredible career.
According to Reuters, Messi’s hot streak started back in Argentina’s 2-1 win over Australia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also scored against the Netherlands and Croatia before scoring twice in the epic final against France that ended with him lifting the trophy.
At the 2026 World Cup, Messi has been unstoppable. He scored a hat-trick against Algeria and added two more against Austria. The goal against Jordan was his sixth of this tournament alone, putting him at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Breaking a 56-Year-Old World Cup Record
Before Saturday night, only two players had scored in six straight World Cup games. Just Fontaine of France did it in 1958, scoring 13 goals in that span. Jairzinho of Brazil matched the feat in 1970, scoring seven goals in six games.
Both records stood for decades. Neither Fontaine nor Jairzinho could reach seven in a row. Messi now stands alone at the top. No one in the 96-year history of the World Cup has done what he just did.
The last time Messi failed to score in a World Cup game was Argentina’s 2-0 win over Poland in the 2022 group stage. He even missed a penalty in that game. Since then, he has scored 13 goals in his last 10 World Cup matches and eight in his last four.
Messi Comes off the Bench for the First Time Since 2006
One of the biggest surprises of the night was that Messi did not start the match. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni made the bold call to keep his captain on the bench. It was the first time Messi started a World Cup game on the bench since 2006.
Scaloni said before the match that Messi had been dealing with muscle fatigue. The Argentine missed several games for Inter Miami earlier this season because of the same issue. With Argentina already qualified for the knockout stage, Scaloni decided to rest his star player.
Messi turned 39 on Wednesday. He has played an incredible amount of soccer over the past two years. Giving him rest showed smart management from Scaloni. The pair were teammates at the 2006 World Cup, and they share deep trust after winning three straight major trophies together.
Argentina’s Other Stars Step Up Without Their Captain
Even without Messi in the starting lineup, Argentina showed they can score goals. Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring with a left-footed free kick that matched anything Messi has ever done. The ball settled into the top corner of the net and left the goalkeeper stranded.
Lo Celso missed the 2022 World Cup because of a hamstring injury. He watched from home as his teammates won the trophy in Qatar. This goal was his first in a World Cup, and it came at the perfect time.
Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead in the 31st minute. He converted a penalty kick that was awarded after a video review. Martinez has been a key player for Argentina throughout this tournament, and his goal gave the team a comfortable cushion.
Jordan Gives Argentina a Scare in the Second Half
Jordan did not give up easily. Substitute Musa Al-Taamari pulled one back for the underdogs just 10 minutes into the second half. The goal made the score 2-1 and suddenly the match was alive again.
Jordan was making its first-ever World Cup appearance. The team from the Middle East showed fight and spirit throughout the group stage. Even though they finished with an 0-3 record, they earned respect from fans around the world.
Despite Jordan’s push, they never really tested Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Aston Villa star did not make a single save all night. Argentina’s defense held firm when it mattered most.
Messi’s All-Time Goal Record Keeps Growing
Messi’s 19th World Cup goal extends his all-time men’s record. He broke the previous record of 16 goals held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose during the group stage. The free kick against Jordan was his 72nd career goal from a free kick and his 12th for Argentina.
On the international stage, Messi now has 123 goals in 202 appearances for Argentina. That puts him second all-time behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 145 goals for Portugal. The two legends have pushed each other for nearly two decades.
According to Reuters, Messi is also the leading scorer at this year’s World Cup with six goals. He leads a crowded field that includes some of the best players in the world.
What Comes Next: Argentina Faces Cape Verde in Round of 32
Argentina finished top of Group J with a perfect 9 points. They will face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday. Cape Verde has been the Cinderella story of this World Cup. The small island nation tied Spain and Uruguay in group play to advance.
The knockout stage is a whole new challenge. Every game could be the last for Argentina. One loss and their title defense is over. But with Messi playing the way he has so far, who would bet against them?
Messi has a chance to do something only the great Pele has done. Pele led Brazil to back-to-back World Cups in 1958 and 1962. No team has repeated as champions since. Argentina has the talent and the belief to make it happen.
Scaloni’s Smart Management Could Pay Off Big
Scaloni’s decision to rest Messi against Jordan looks smart right now. The 39-year-old got almost 60 minutes of rest before coming on to score the winning goal. He will be fresher for the knockout rounds than if he had played the full 90 minutes.
Argentina did not need to rely on Messi as much as they did in 2022. Against Algeria, Messi scored a hat-trick to lead the team. Against Austria, he scored twice. But against Jordan, other players stepped up before he even entered the game.
That depth could be crucial as the tournament gets harder. Teams like Brazil, France, and Spain are all still alive. The road to the final will be tough. But with a rested Messi leading the way, Argentina has as good a chance as anyone.
The GOAT Debate: Messi Keeps Making His Case
The debate about who is the greatest soccer player of all time will never truly end. But Messi keeps adding to his resume in ways that nobody can ignore. He has won the World Cup. He has won eight Ballon d’Or awards. He has broken scoring records at every level.
This latest record might be his most impressive yet. Scoring in seven straight World Cup games takes consistency, fitness, and skill. It takes showing up when your country needs you most. Messi has done that for Argentina for more than two decades.
According to FOX Sports’ Doug McIntyre, Messi is making a case that even at 39, he might still be the best player in the world. His six goals lead this World Cup. His free kicks are still deadly. His vision and passing remain world-class.
Fans in Dallas Witness History
The fans at Dallas Stadium got to see something special. When Messi came on as a substitute in the 60th minute, the crowd erupted. They knew they were watching history in the making. And Messi delivered exactly what they came to see.
After the game, Fox Sports showed Messi thanking the Argentina fans in Dallas. The connection between Messi and the Argentine people is unlike anything in sports. They love him, and he has given them more joy than any player in the country’s history.
The 2026 World Cup is being played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Dallas was one of the host cities, and the crowd on Saturday night was overwhelmingly in Argentina’s favor. The team has become the tournament’s biggest draw.
Looking Ahead: Can Argentina Go All the Way Again?
Argentina is one of the favorites to win the World Cup again. They have the best player in the tournament. They have depth across the squad. They have a coach who knows how to win. And they have the confidence that comes from being the defending champions.
But the World Cup is never easy. The knockout rounds bring pressure like nothing else in sports. One bad game and you are done. Argentina knows this better than anyone. They have been on both sides of that equation.
Cape Verde awaits in the Round of 32. If Argentina wins that, they will face tougher and tougher opponents. But as long as Messi is on the field, Argentina has a chance. His seventh straight World Cup game with a goal shows that he is not slowing down anytime soon.
The record for scoring in seven consecutive World Cup games may never be broken. Messi’s name will be in the history books forever. And he might not be done yet. There are still more games to play in this tournament. More goals to score. More records to break.
Lionel Messi keeps making history. And the world keeps watching.
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