Argentina secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Jordan in their final Group J match, proving they can win without Lionel Messi in the starting lineup. The 39-year-old captain began on the substitute's bench as manager Lionel Scaloni rested key players ahead of the knockout stages, giving opportunities to World Cup debutants including Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez.

Lo Celso opened scoring with a well-taken free kick in the 19th minute, while Martínez converted a first-half penalty to double Argentina's advantage. Despite Jordan pulling one back through Mousa Al-Tamari, Messi entered in the 60th minute and delivered with his trademark free kick, sending the Dallas crowd into celebration. His goal extended his remarkable record to 19 World Cup goals and made him the first player to score in seven consecutive tournament matches.

The victory showcased Argentina's squad depth as they dominated possession at 73% and recorded 12 shots with an expected goals tally of 2.13. Scaloni's tactical rotation allowed him to assess his options while maintaining the team's unbeaten record heading into the round of 32 against Cape Verde. This performance demonstrates Argentina's strength in depth while confirming Messi remains the decisive factor when needed most.

Argentina now faces Cape Verde in Miami, with the African debutants having impressed in Group H by holding Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws. While their defensive approach poses challenges, Scaloni's squad has shown they possess multiple players capable of stepping up when the captain isn't available.