STORY: Argentine fans in Buenos Aires were overjoyed on Sunday (June 28) after mercurial Lionel Messi became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches as a largely second-string Argentina continued their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their Group J clash in Dallas.

"Really happy, overjoyed, more than happy, because honestly I have all the faith in the world that we are going to be champions again, because Messi is the best,” said Nelida Pinal, 55, a fan.

Fans gathered in Buenos Aires to watch the match, which kicked off at 11 p.m. local time (0200 GMT, June 28) on Thursday (June 27).

Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to the line-up that beat Austria but goals from Giovani Lo Celso, Lautaro Martinez and Messi, who started on the bench, sealed a victory that sent a warning to Cape Verde, their opponents in the round of 32.

Lo Celso gave Argentina the lead against the already eliminated Jordanians in the 19th minute with a curling free kick before Martinez doubled the advantage from the penalty spot 12 minutes later.

And while Mousa Altamari pulled one back for Jordan 10 minutes into the second half, Messi's 80th-minute free kick saw him move past France's Just Fontaine and Brazilian Jairzinho by scoring in a seventh World Cup match in a row at the finals.

Argentina face Cape Verde in the round of 32.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JUNE 27, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF ARGENTINE FANS WATCHING TELECAST OF WORLD CUP MATCH BETWEEN ARGENTINA AND JORDAN

2. VARIOUS OF FANS CELEBRATING ARGENTINA’S FIRST GOAL

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) 55-YEAR-OLD FOOTBALL FAN, HERNAN MONRAD, SAYING:

"I think the squad is very solid, very effective, especially Messi, and it's good that there is rotation so that some players who weren't playing can get their rhythm, especially 'el Colo' Barco and Tagliafico, Paredes, who I thought played a very good match. I liked Senesi and I think the national team is hitting its stride to compete with the big teams."

4. VARIOUS OF FANS CELEBRATING ARGENTINA’S SECOND GOAL

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (JUNE 28, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) 58-YEAR-OLD FOOTBALL FAN, NELIDA PINAL, SAYING:

"Really happy, overjoyed, more than happy, because honestly I have all the faith in the world that we are going to be champions again, because Messi is the best. There is no one else, there is no comparison, there is no comparison. I also lived through the Maradona era, who was a genius, but he is also a genius. It's as if all the gifts were passed on to him, so we are going to be champions this year."

6. VARIOUS OF FANS WATCHING MATCH

7. VARIOUS OF FANS CELEBRATING ARGENTINA’S THIRD GOAL WHICH WAS SCORED BY LIONEL MESSI

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) 44-YEAR-OLD FOOTBALL FAN, ANDRES POSI, SAYING:

"Oh, I am very emotional, I am truly happy. Truly. I lived through 2022 with so much emotion, it moved me deeply, and now this has to be cherished because I don't know how long it will last, but hopefully it lasts until 2038 and beyond."

9. VARIOUS OF FANS CELEBRATING ARGENTINA’S VICTORY