23/06/2026 09:22 - Deportes
The Argentine National Team closed their group stage campaign at the 2026 World Cup with an impeccable performance: 6 points and a +5 goal difference crowned them as undisputed leaders of Group J. Victories against Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0) ensured that Lionel Scaloni's team will face the knockout rounds from a privileged position.
Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni (48 years old), who led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar 2022, confirmed in a press conference that the match against Jordan will serve to rest players carrying minor injuries and give playing time to those with fewer minutes.
"Cuti" Romero to be preserved: The defender suffered a blow to his right knee during the Austria match and will not be risked. He had already experienced a sprain in that area before the tournament began. Note: "Cuti" is the nickname for Cristian Romero, Argentina's star center-back who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League.
Nicolás Tagliafico (left-back, Olympique Lyon) and Leandro Paredes (midfielder, AS Roma), who started the tournament with injuries, gained minutes against Austria and could see more action. Enzo Fernández (midfielder, Chelsea) and Alexis Mac Allister (midfielder, Liverpool), fundamental in midfield, completed the first two matches without being substituted.
The manager's statement was clear: "Qualification doesn't change anything for us. Everyone would have signed to win both matches. The idea is to give the opportunity to play to most of those who deserve it."
Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 on June 24, 2026, is experiencing an extraordinary tournament. The Argentine captain broke four Guinness World Records in the match against Austria:
18
World Cup Goals
(All-time top scorer)
28
Matches Played
(Absolute record)
18
Victories
(Absolute record)
2,489
Minutes Played
(Absolute record)
Additionally, he equaled the historic record of scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches, a mark previously shared only by Just Fontaine (France 1958) and Jairzinho (Brazil 1970). Context: Just Fontaine scored 13 goals in a single World Cup, while Jairzinho scored in every match of Brazil's 1970 World Cup winning campaign.
| Team | Points | Goal Diff. |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Argentina | 6 | +5 |
| 2. Austria | 3 | +2 |
| 3. Algeria | 3 | -1 |
| 4. Jordan | 0 | -6 |
New FIFA 2026 Rule: In case of a tie on points, head-to-head results take priority over overall goal difference.
Argentina's next opponent will be determined from Group H, where the situation remains open:
Argentina will face the runner-up of Group H on Friday, July 3 at 19:00 (Argentine time) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Note: Scaloni mentioned that the tournament's hydration breaks make matches feel "very fragmented," a situation that benefits the weaker team in his view.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams expanded from the traditional 32, with 104 matches played across 16 cities.
Argentina enters as defending champions after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France in a legendary final decided by penalties. That victory secured Argentina's third World Cup title, adding to their 1978 and 1986 triumphs.
Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS). This World Cup represents potentially his final international tournament, making every match a historic occasion.
Source: TyC Sports
Alfredo S. Quiroga
