Messi Sets World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Defeats Jordan

Kolkata: As Giovani Lo Celso’s curling free-kick sailed 20 yards over a hapless and stunned Jordan defence to find the corner of the net in the 19th minute, Argentina fans across Kolkata erupted in delight.

The goal was a beauty and a consolation of sorts for the absence of Messi, who didn’t figure in the starting line-up in Argentina’s last group match on Sunday morning, much to the frustration of fans.But more consolation was in store. The GOAT trotted into the ground in the 60th minute, leading to a roar at the Argentina Fan Club in Gangulybagan, where scores had gathered in front of a giant screen to watch the match. And Messi left Kolkata fans ecstatic by scoring from a similar free-kick in the 80th minute.

But his was a low, booming drive that literally pierced the Jordan defence to make it 3-1 for Argentina. It also took him to the record books — Messi became the only player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches (a streak dating back to the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022).

The goal also extended his all-time tournament record to 19 World Cup goals and marked his sixth strike in just three group stage matches this year.“Messi’s form continues and all the goals that Argentina scored today were marvellous.

On the downside, they also conceded their first goal. But overall, the team looks in great touch with Messi leading the charge,” said Uttam Saha of the Argentina Fan Club.Brazil fans, on the other hand, will brace for a tough knock-out match against Japan on Monday night. Buoyed by the Selecaos’ new-found confidence and rhythm and the sublime form of Vinicius Junior, Brazil fans are dreaming again. “We are dreaming big and why not? The last two matches have shown that Brazil are getting back into that zone.

The moves are reminiscent of the great teams of the past, the balls are piercing the opponent defence more threateningly.

Most importantly, Vini Junior and Matheus Cunha have been scoring. With the improvements seen in the last two matches, we expect a decisive victory,” said Brazil fan Joydeep Pal, a member of Uttar Kolkata Dishari Club in Girish Park that has decked up the neighbourhood in Fakir Chakrabarty Lane in Brazil colours and with painted pictures of Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe and many others.Having already secured qualification, manager Lionel Scaloni heavily rotated his side, making nine changes and keeping Lionel Messi on the bench for the opening hour. “We missed him in the first half. But he more than made up with the goal,” said Saha.After Lo Celso’s 19th minute strike, Argentina won a penalty. After a VAR review confirmed a foul on Marcos Senesi by Ihsan Haddad, Lautaro Martínez stepped up to calmly convert from the penalty spot, netting his first goal of the tournament.

In the 55th minute, Jordan responded with great intent in the second half. Ihsan Haddad made amends by sending a low cross into the box, allowing Musa Al-Taamari to slide the ball past Emiliano Martínez and give Jordan their first-ever tournament goal.Coming off the bench in the 60th minute, Lionel Messi restored the two-goal cushion with a trademark low free-kick that completely wrong-footed Jordan’s goalkeeper, Yazeed Abulaila. “Knock-out games against low-ranked teams like Verde could be slippery. They often play with greater intensity since they have nothing to lose,” felt Saha.