2 hours ago
Rob Smyth
Crikey, that flew by. Sixteen days aft Mexico and South Africa kicked disconnected nan 2026 World Cup, nan bumper group shape ends pinch a Group J double header: Algeria v Austria, which you tin travel pinch Sam Lewis, and Jordan v Argentina successful Dallas.
Strictly speaking, this crippled is simply a dormant rubber: Jordan person been eliminated and Argentina already cognize they will play Cape Verde successful nan past 32. But effort telling that to nan populace of Jordan, who are hoping to triumph their first constituent astatine a World Cup – aliases to nan billions of Lionel Messi disciples crossed nan globe. Messi has been successful sparkling shape truthful far, scoring 5 goals successful 2 games, and leads a goat-studded title for nan Golden Boot.
He’ll fancy his chances of extending that lead today, moreover though he won’t beryllium starting nan game. Messi is 39 years aged and, if each goes to scheme for Argentina, nan lucifer against Cape Verde connected Friday will beryllium nan first of 5 knockout games successful 16 days.
“Leo will astir apt travel connected successful nan 2nd half,” said nan Argentina head Lionel Scaloni. “We talked and agreed that it was amended that way, but evidently it’s besides bully for him to enactment successful competitory form.”
And successful goalscoring form. At nan past World Cup successful Qatar, Messi’s 7 goals equalled nan grounds for a subordinate who didn’t triumph nan Golden Boot. For a assortment of reasons, that grounds is going to beryllium obliterated astatine this World Cup.
Kick off 9pm local/12pm AEST/3am BST/10pm EDT
