Live updates: Argentina looks to stay hot with last group stage match vs. Jordan
The World Cup group stage — the biggest in the tournament’s 96-year history — wraps with a match at AT&T Stadium between defending champion Argentina and first-time participants Jordan.
The match will run simultaneously with Austria and Algeria in Kansas City, as there will be a final knockout stage spot available in that one. The result of Saturday night’s match in Arlington will not affect how either of those teams make it in.
For one last time in the group stage before an entertaining knockout stage awaits in Arlington, here’s all the action from AT&T Stadium throughout the night:
Early goal wiped off
9:06 p.m.
In the sixth minute, Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso breaks through off a pretty pass from the midfield and sends it into the back of the net comfortably, but he got a head start.
The side referee puts up the flag for offside, and this one remains scoreless in the early going.
— Nick Harris
Kickoff from Arlington!
9:05 p.m.
We’re off and rolling at AT&T Stadium, as Argentina takes control of possession through the first five minutes. Even with the Argentina second-team on the pitch, it will take a Herculean effort from Jordan to break through that back line.
— Nick Harris
Starting lineups
8:44 p.m.
Here are the starting lineups for both sides:
Argentina - Lautaro Martínez, Julian Alvarez, Nico Paz, Giovani Lo Celso, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Otamendi, Giuliano Simeone, Emiliano Martínez
Jordan - Odeh Fakhouri, Ali Al-Azaizeh, Ali Iyad Olwan, Ehsan Haddad, Nizar Al Rashdan, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Mohannad Abu Taha, Abdallah Nasib, Yazan Abu Al-Arab, Husam Abu Dahab, Yazeed Abulaila
As expected, Messi does not get the start.
— Nick Harris
Messi will not start, expected to sub in
7:20 p.m.
Argentina star forward Lionel Messi will not start in the match on Saturday night, as he will rest to open up before coming on as a substitute in the second half, according to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
If he comes on, it will be just the fourth time that Messi has played in a World Cup match that he did not start.
The 38-year-old legend enters the night as the tournament’s leading goalscorer after a hat trick vs. Algeria and a brace vs. Austria in Arlington on June 22. He has scored on all five of the Argentina goals in the tournament through two matches.
— Nick Harris
Not a lot on the line
7:14 p.m.
There won’t be a lot to play for on either side tonight, standings-wise, but the pride of winning a World Cup match won’t be lost on the 22 players on the pitch.
Argentina enters the game having already secured Group J and a date with Cape Verde in the opening round of the knockout stage of the tournament. Jordan was eliminated from tournament contention after losses to Austria and Algeria. But considering this is Jordan’s first berth in the 96-year tournament’s history, you can expect them to come out with a mentality of a team with nothing more to lose. Can Argentina match just enough intensity with a lineup that is expected to be mostly composed of backups?
— Nick Harris
Catch up on previous matches in Arlington
Here is our coverage on the Star-Telegram from the four previous matches in Arlington:
Japan 1, Sweden 1
- How it happened: Japan and Sweden end group stage with 1-1 draw in Arlington
- Sweden uses stunning equalizer to secure draw with Japan, spot in knockout round
- Japanese soccer fans overtake ‘Dallas Stadium’ in Arlington for World Cup (Video)
- Japan fans explain why they cleaned up at World Cup before leaving AT&T Stadium
- Sweden fans march to Dallas Stadium (Video)
Argentina 2, Austria 0
- Argentina’s Lionel Messi makes World Cup history at AT&T Stadium
- Messi puts on a show, leads Argentina to convincing World Cup win over Austria
- Messi may own the world, and the World Cup, but he doesn’t own the United States
- Ex-Cowboys quarterback among celebs at Austria-Argentina FIFA World Cup match
- Argentina fans arrive at Dallas Stadium (Video)
- FIFA Fan Fest erupts to watch Lionel Messi and Argentina
England 4, Croatia 2
Japan 2, Netherlands 2
This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 7:39 PM.
