Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi continues to surprise him after the Argentina captain made more World Cup history against Jordan.
Argentina rounded off their perfect Group J campaign with a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Dallas Stadium, with Messi coming off the bench and making an impact.
Giovani Lo Celso’s 19th-minute free-kick and a Lautaro Martinez penalty had put Argentina two goals in front at the break, but Jordan responded brilliantly in the second half.
Just as Messi was preparing to be introduced into the action, Mousa Al Tamari tucked Ehsan Haddad’s teasing cross past Emiliano Martinez to halve the deficit.
But after winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, Messi stepped up and sent the set-piece around the wall and into the back of the net for his sixth goal of the tournament.
And in doing so, Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup outings, netting 11 goals in total across that run (five in the last four games in 2022).
The 39-year-old also leads the way for the Golden Boot and is now two clear of France duo Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland.
Messi also scored his record-extending 19th goal at the World Cup, and Scaloni struggled to put into words how the Argentine continues to perform at the highest level.
“It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that, and I don’t know what to say,” Scaloni said when quizzed once again about Messi’s performance.
“Today he could’ve played 90 minutes and, without undermining our opponent, he wanted his team-mates to have time on the pitch and to save himself for what’s coming up.
“He doesn’t think so much about the numbers that people are talking about. The only word that comes to mind is that I’m surprised.”
7 – Lionel Messi is the first player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances (last 4 in 2022, first 3 in 2026).
Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/RtmZ0di7wS
— OptaJack (@OptaJack) June 28, 2026
With top spot already secured ahead of facing Jordan, Scaloni elected to make nine changes to the side that beat Austria 2-0 last time out.
The likes of Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nico Paz, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi and Lo Celso all started, with the latter getting the ball rolling on his World Cup debut.
Lo Celso became only the second Argentine player to score a direct free-kick at the World Cup in the 21st century, following Messi against Nigeria in 2014.
Scaloni was thrilled with the way his second-string side performed, adding that they all proved that he can rely on them should they be called upon later in the tournament.
“It’s a very positive opinion that I have, especially as I was able to include all the players. This was a goal we always set for ourselves,” Scaloni added.
“I believe all of them deserve to enjoy coming to a World Cup and playing at a World Cup, and we were able to give them minutes.
“I think they played quite well in a difficult match. They showed me today that I can count on them.”
Argentina already knew their opponents ahead of kick-off, with tournament debutants Cape Verde up next at Miami Stadium.
Cape Verde have enjoyed a dream debut at the World Cup, drawing all three of their games in a group that featured Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
They became the first debutant to advance from the group stage in the World Cup since Slovakia in 2010, and are the first African team to do so since Ghana in 2006.
Cape Verde are also the first tournament debutants to go unbeaten in their three group-stage matches at the World Cup since Senegal in 2002 (W1 D2 L0).
And Scaloni was not underestimating the threat of Argentina’s next opponents, saying: “Cape Verde didn’t surprise me, because it’s a good team.
“It’s a tough opponent, one that has already made things difficult for Spain, one of the favourites, as well as for Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. It’s a fast team with quality.”
