Lionel Messi makes history, breaking Brazilian legend’s World Cup record to become…

Lionel Messi added another World Cup record to his career after becoming the player with the most goals from outside the penalty area in the tournament’s history in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan in their final Group J match in Arlington.The Argentina captain scored from a free kick in the 80th minute at AT&T Stadium on Saturday (local time). It was his sixth goal of the World Cup from outside, taking him past Brazilian great Rivelin, who held the record with five.The goal also took Messi’s World Cup tally to 19, extending his record as Argentina’s top scorer at the tournament. He has now scored six goals in the ongoing World Cup.Argentina finished the group stage with three wins from three matches.Messi’s run at this World Cup started with a hat-trick against Algeria, followed by two goals against Austria. Against Jordan, head coach Lionel Scaloni rested the 39-year-old early on, but he came on in the 60th minute and scored from a free kick 20 minutes later.The strike made Messi the first male player to score in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances.He also became only the fourth player to score in all three group stage matches of a single World Cup since the introduction of the current group stage format in 1998. The others are Cristiano Ronaldo (2018), David Villa (2010) and Fernando Torres (2010).Argentina also recorded their 50th FIFA World Cup victory, becoming only the third country to reach the milestone after Brazil and Germany.Despite nine changes to the starting XI, Argentina remained in control throughout the match.Giovani Lo Celso, playing his first World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament through injury, opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a direct free-kick.Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded Argentina a penalty for a foul on Marcos Senesi. The Inter Milan striker scored his first World Cup goal.Jordan pulled one back in the 55th minute when Musa Al-Tamaari headed in Ihsan Haddad’s cross from close range.Messi’s opener helped Argentina regain control before his free-kick sealed a 3-1 win.Argentina will face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on July 4. Jordan was eliminated after losing all three of their group stage matches, despite scoring in each of their matches.