Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni offers directions to Lionel Messi throughout a hydration break through the Fifa World Cup 2026 Group J soccer match between Jordan and Argentina, Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US. – June 27, 2026. — Reuters
DALLAS: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni mentioned he’s operating out of the way to explain the performances of Lionel Messi after seeing his captain grow to be the primary participant to attain in seven consecutive World Cup matches of their 3-1 win over Jordan on Saturday.
Messi was launched from the bench on the hour mark at Dallas Stadium and netted an Eightieth-minute free kick to proceed a scoring run that noticed him surpass the mark he shared with France’s Simply Fontaine and Brazilian Jairzinho.
“It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that and I don’t know what to say,” Scaloni mentioned when quizzed as soon as once more about Messi’s efficiency.
“Today he could’ve played 90 minutes and, without undermining our opponent, he wanted his team mates to have time on the pitch and to save himself for what’s coming up.
“He does not assume a lot concerning the numbers that persons are speaking about. The one phrase that involves thoughts is that I am shocked.”
Messi’s strike put the seal on a largely snug win for the champions, who took a two-goal lead into the interval following a Giovani Lo Celso free kick and a penalty from Lautaro Martinez.
These objectives had been the primary not scored by Messi for Argentina on the present World Cup, earlier than the 39-year-old took his whole to a tournament-leading six.
Argentina’s ahead #10 Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his workforce’s third objective through the 2026 World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Argentina on the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 27, 2026. — AFP
Scaloni had made 9 adjustments to his beginning line-up and he was happy with the performances of those that had featured little within the match to this point.
“It’s a very positive opinion that I have, especially as I was able to include all the players, this was a goal we always set for ourselves,” he mentioned.
“I believe all of them deserve to enjoy coming to a World Cup and playing at a World Cup and we were able to give them minutes. I think they played quite well in a difficult match.
“They confirmed me as we speak that I can rely on them.”
Argentina next take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami and Scaloni said he would not underestimate the debutants.
“Based mostly on what I’ve seen, I am not shocked,” he said of their progress to the knockout rounds. “They are a good workforce, they’ve made it very tough for the three opponents they’ve performed.
“Spain couldn’t beat them, Uruguay couldn’t either. They’re a fast team, they play well with a high calibre of play. I can guarantee you they’re a team that’s going to make it difficult for us.”
