Lautaro Martínez scores first World Cup goal as Argentina beats Jordan

Lautaro Martínez finally scored his first World Cup goal, converting a penalty in Dallas and turning Argentina’s 2-0 lead over Jordan into a decisive step toward a perfect group-stage finish.

The Argentina striker struck a right-footed shot across the goalkeeper in the 31st minute of the first half after István Kovács awarded a penalty following a VAR review of a foul on Marcos Senesi. The finish mattered because Martínez arrived at the match with no World Cup goals in eight previous appearances, a scoreless run that had become part of his Argentine narrative.

Giovani Lo Celso had put Argentina ahead earlier with a standout free kick, and Martínez’s penalty doubled the advantage before halftime. By then, Lionel Scaloni’s side had already put Jordan under sustained pressure, and the 2-0 scoreline reflected a team that stayed compact and efficient even with an alternative lineup.

For Martínez, the goal was more than a statistic. It closed the gap between his club reputation and his World Cup record, and it did so in a match where the result was already tilting Argentina’s way. The penalty did not just extend the lead; it reset the conversation around a striker whose lack of World Cup scoring had drawn increasing scrutiny.

Argentina’s perfect run through the group stage gave the performance a larger frame. In a tournament setting where single moments quickly harden into public judgment, Martínez’s conversion changed the tone of his campaign in one touch. What had been a drought became a breakthrough, and Argentina left Dallas with both the result and a striker who finally opened his World Cup account.