Argentina beats Jordan 3-1 to finish World Cup group perfect
Lo Celso and Nico Paz turned a routine 3-1 win over Jordan into a test of Scaloni’s depth, as Argentina closed Group J with a perfect record.
Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 at Dallas Stadium and closed Group J with a perfect record, a result that did more than secure first place in the World Cup standings. It gave Lionel Scaloni another chance to measure how far his rotation has come between the core of the Qatar 2022 champions and the 26-man squad he finalized on May 28, 2026.
The matchup carried clear strategic value from the start. Jordan had been drawn into the same Group J in December 2025, alongside Algeria, Austria and Argentina, and entered the section as the least imposing opponent on paper. That made the closing match a useful setting for Scaloni to spread minutes around a roster built to defend the title, while still preserving Argentina’s rhythm before the knockout rounds.
Giovani Lo Celso and Nico Paz were central to that reading. Both are in Argentina’s final World Cup squad, along with Lionel Messi, and both used the Jordan match to strengthen their case for a larger role in the elimination stage. Lo Celso’s presence carried a strong personal edge: he had missed Qatar 2022 at the last moment because of injury, and his selection for 2026 had surprised many after recent physical wear. The Dallas appearance suggested he is once again part of Scaloni’s trusted circle.
Nico Paz arrived at the tournament under close physical monitoring, but with firm backing from the coaching staff, and the Jordan game showed why. In a lower-pressure group-stage finish, he could add value without the burden of a knockout match hanging over every touch. That mattered in a squad where Scaloni has been careful to balance established winners with players still earning their place in the World Cup rotation.
Argentina’s path through the group underlined that balance. The team opened against Algeria, then faced Austria before finishing with Jordan, and each match fed into a broader assessment of depth rather than just results. After the 3-1 win in Dallas, Argentina headed into the Round of 16 with a perfect group-stage record and a clearer sense that its options extend well beyond Messi, with Lo Celso and Nico Paz helping make the case.
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