Messi benched with two World Cup records in reach

Messi on the bench, chasing history against Jordan

Argentina face Jordan this Saturday in their second Group J match, and Lionel Messi will not start. Lionel Scaloni confirmed it pre-match (1) (3). The record can wait, but maybe not long.

Messi is coming off a hat-trick against Algeria. That pulled him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals. He has also scored in six consecutive World Cup matches, matching the all-time record held by Jairzinho and Just Fontaine (2). One goal off the bench against Jordan and both records fall.

Jordan await, top spot at stake

Win this and Argentina lock up the group with a game to spare. The match is at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Scaloni's side opened with a commanding 3–0 win over Algeria and look in control of Group J.

Fan-reaktioner

The Scaloni moment that fans are sharing is not about tactics. Before confirming Messi would sit, Scaloni made time for 91-year-old Argentine journalist Enrique Macaya Márquez, covering his 18th World Cup. The hug between them is the image of the day for many. See the thread here.