Scaloni issues early warning

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the team's formidable strength across all positions following their 3-1 win against Jordan in the final Group J match of the 2026 World Cup. Even with a squad featuring reserve players, Argentina dominated the game, concluding the group stage with a perfect nine-point record and solidifying their status as top contenders.

Scaloni emphasized the importance of giving game time to players who hadn't featured prominently. "What we wanted was for players who haven't played to get minutes because they deserve it. I'm happy because all the players got a chance, and that's very important for us," he said. Key players were rested, with only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Lautaro Martinez starting, while Lionel Messi was introduced as a substitute after an hour.

Messi's impact was immediate, as he scored from a free-kick, marking a historic achievement by becoming the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. This goal extended Argentina's lead to 2-1 and effectively ended any hopes of a comeback for Jordan. Scaloni expressed further satisfaction that all the players brought to the tournament have now had an opportunity to play, demonstrating the squad's exceptional depth ahead of the knockout stages.

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What we wanted was for players who haven't played to get minutes because they deserve it. I'm happy because all the players got a chance, and that's very important for us.