Lionel Messi can’t help but hog the headlines.
Even when given a break, he manages to stay active and make himself the star of the show. Also.
For 80 minutes of this one-sided game, it looked like Argentina would be fine without Messi. It’s different when a player like Giovani Lo Celso can produce goals that would make the great man himself proud. Lauturo Martinez added a second goal, and for once it felt like Messi’s mercurial skills were unnecessary.
But as promised, manager Lionel Scaloni brought on Messi in the first hour. That was enough time for him to make further football history. He became the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup games with a late free kick. The run started with the match against Australia in the last 16 of the last Qatar World Cup. Another brilliant addition to my personal highlight reel from this 2026 North American edition, ensuring Argentina won all three group games in the final for the first time.
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Starting on the bench, Messi was giving someone in blue and white a chance to score for his team in this World Cup. And Lo Celso was happy to take on the challenge.
He thought he had scored in the opening minutes, but his shot was canceled for offside. However, Lo Celso was not to be denied and put Argentina ahead with a stunning free-kick into the top corner.
Where were those skills when he was at Tottenham?
Martinez almost doubled Argentina’s lead with a shot that hit the post. However, in the resulting melee, Marcos Senesi was kicked in the head as he tried to convert the ball, prompting referee Istvan Kovac to award a penalty. Martinez converted the spot-kick, beating Yawed Abulaira to make it 2-0.
Argentina was in full cruise control. Nicolas Otamendi had a header just wide of the target, but Martínez was denied by Abraira. Scaloni’s men sensed an opportunity to improve their cricket score.
Messi made headlines overnight with supporting cast (Image: 2026 BSR Agency)
The players surrounding Jordan could now feel like they were getting on a plane to leave North America. There was a standing ovation when Messi jumped up to warm up.
The prospect of him continuing in the role sent a cold shiver down the spines of most Jordanians. This was what they needed most. But then something happened that no one expected.
Jordan pulled one back with substitute Moussa Altamari beating Emiliano Martinez from close range. This immediately felt like a huge mistake, considering Argentina brought on Messi shortly after.
Within minutes, he whistled a free kick that went just over the crossbar. But he won’t make the same mistake twice.
And with his next words, he wrapped it around the wall and walked past Abraira, ready to say his final words to a night that was never about him.
But that always seems to be the case.
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