Lionel Messi came off the bench to score a stunning free-kick, his 19th World Cup goal, as Argentina beat Jordan 1-0 in a friendly. The match, played in front of a packed stadium, saw Messi introduced in the second half, with the crowd eagerly anticipating his arrival.
Messi's Impact from the Bench
Messi had been wayward with a free-kick after coming on, but when he won a second 22 yards from goal, the outcome seemed predestined. A whip around the wall, an inordinate amount of bend that saw the ball finish in an almost central position, and the Jordan keeper Yazeed Abulaila could only look on. It was his sixth goal in three games, a 19th in World Cup football, and a first since turning 39.
Milestones Keep Coming
Keep track of the milestones and then get ready for more, because Messi just keeps them coming. The goal capped a comfortable win for Argentina, who dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Jordan defense before Messi's intervention.
