Group J delivered one final twist on Saturday as Lionel Messi made history, Argentina completed a perfect campaign and Austria snatched a stoppage-time equaliser that sent both themselves and Algeria into the Round of 32 while ending Iran’s World Cup hopes.
When the final whistles blew, Argentina had finished top with three wins from three, Austria had survived thanks to Sasa Kalajdzic’s dramatic late equaliser, Algeria had squeezed through as one of the best third-placed teams and Iran were heading home.
While the qualification battle raged elsewhere, Messi added another World Cup record to his remarkable career.
Jordan vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights
The Argentina captain became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches as the defending champions beat Jordan 3-1 in Dallas to complete a flawless group-stage campaign.
With qualification already secured, coach Lionel Scaloni rested several regular starters, making nine changes to the side that defeated Austria. Even with a much-changed XI, Argentina controlled the game from the outset.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb free-kick, becoming the first Argentina player other than Messi to score at this World Cup. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after his initial effort had come back off the crossbar.
Messi came on just after the hour mark. Twenty minutes later, he was on the scoresheet once again.
His composed finish in the 80th minute took his World Cup tally to 19 goals and his tournament total to six. The strike also made him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, moving him clear of France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil great Jairzinho.
Jordan pulled one back late on, but it did little to spoil Argentina’s evening as the defending champions completed a third straight victory. They will now face Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday in Miami.
If Argentina’s progress was routine, the battle for the other two qualification places was anything but.
AUSTRIA, ALGERIA PLAY EPIC DRAW
Austria and Algeria produced one of the matches of the tournament in a pulsating 3-3 draw that swung repeatedly before delivering one final twist in stoppage time.
Marko Arnautovic gave Austria an early lead before Rafik Belghali equalised before the break. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s advantage early in the second half, only for Riyad Mahrez to level again and keep Algeria in the contest.
The closing minutes turned into pure knockout football.
Mahrez looked to have sent Algeria through with a winner in the third minute of stoppage time, a goal that would also have eliminated Austria. But with virtually the last kick of the match, Sasa Kalajdzic headed home in the 96th minute to rescue a point and spark celebrations for both teams.
The draw was enough for Austria to finish second in Group J and set up a Round of 32 meeting with Spain. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland.
For Iran, whose hopes rested on Austria dropping points, Kalajdzic’s late equaliser ended their World Cup campaign in the cruellest fashion.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
– Ends
