Some games are played to be decided; others are played to be remembered. Jordan vs Argentina in Dallas was the latter. Argentina had already secured top spot; Jordan already knew their dream was over. Yet both sides had something to say.
It finished 3-1 to Argentina — but the numbers don't tell the whole story.
A machine that never rests
Tellingly, Lionel Messi insisted on playing a dead rubber — a man in his last World Cup, refusing to waste a minute. Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring and Lautaro Martínez made it two. When Mousa Al-Tamari pulled one back, Messi had the final word with the third. Three wins from three, nine points, undisputed winners of Group J. (ESPN)
Who topped the group — and what's next
Argentina, with a perfect record, top the group and will face Cape Verde (Group H runners-up) in the round of 32 — winnable on paper, but never to be taken lightly. Topping the group means a theoretically smoother path and a confident squad — with the hidden risk of complacency.
As for Jordan…
Some will say Jordan went out in the group stage. But simply reaching their first-ever World Cup was an achievement — and scoring against the world champions in their final match is a calling card that says: "We were here, and we'll be back."
Al-Tamari's goal didn't change the result, but it changed how millions of Arab fans felt. Jordan leave this World Cup more mature and more confident — and that alone deserves a salute. Follow Malaab Al-An for Argentina's road to the last 32.