Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup games with a smart free-kick in the 80th minute of Argentina’s game against Jordan in Dallas on Saturday night.
Messi entered in the 60th minute after not starting Argentina’s group stage finale against Jordan in the World Cup with first place already wrapped up.
He was fouled just outside of the penalty area and picked himself up to take the free-kick. He whipped the ball low around the wall, wrong-footing goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila to put Argentina 3-1 up – his 19th goal overall in the history of the World Cup.
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 but with his latest goal, separated himself from them.
His wife and childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo celebrated wildly in the stands as Messi was mobbed by his teammates on the field.
The crowd at AT&T Stadium began chanting Messi’s name as soon as the second half started, and cheered loudly even when he came off the bench to go through warmups.
Lionel Messi is the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup games
Messi scored a clever free-kick for Argentina late on in their 3-1 win against Jordan
His wife and childhood sweetheart Antonela Rocuzzo went wild in the stands in Dallas
The roar was louder when he stepped onto the field Saturday night, three days after his 39th birthday.
The all-time leading men’s World Cup scorer had the first five goals of this tournament for La Albiceleste. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez scored in the first half against Jordan, who had already been eliminated from knockout stage contention.
Messi had been dealing with a minor hamstring injury with Inter Miami that slowed him in the lead-up to the World Cup.
He has never won the golden boot that goes to the leading scorer in each World Cup but already has six goals to his name so far in this tournament, two more than France’s Kylian Mbappe in second place.
With Argentina already confirmed as group winners Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to his side, dropping Messi to the bench as only Emi Martinez and Lautaro Martinez kept their places.
Lo Celso was brought down on the edge of the box by Mohannad Abutaha but got up to curl in a fine free-kick, the first Argentina player other than Messi to score at this World Cup.
Martinez then saw his shot come back off the crossbar and as Marco Senesi went for the rebound he was fouled by Nizar Alrashdan.
A penalty was awarded by a VAR check and Martinez duly converted.
Messi, who just turned 39, was mobbed by his teammates after another historic goal
The Argentina fans went crazy after their hero entered the game and prompty scored again
Messi and Argentina will meet Cape Verde on Friday in the round of 32 in Miami
Argentina had the ball in the net again three minutes into the second half as Lo Celso poked in from Martinez’s cut-back, but the Inter Milan forward was offside as he ran on to Leandro Paredes’ through-ball.
Argentina now have a few days to rest up before the knockout round begins.
They meet Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday, July 3 in Miami.
