Lo Celso, Lautaro brush aside doubts over Argentina's lack of scorers beyond Messi

If there were any doubts that Argentina lacked a goalscorer other than the great Lionel Messi, those were put to rest when the defending champions took the lead through a Giovani Lo Celso freekick in their dead-rubber Group J clash against Jordan in Dallas on Sunday.

Lo Celso's left-footed strike from just outside the box came in the 19th minute of a game in which Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to the side that beat Austria 2-0 in their previous outing.

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Messi on the bench as Argentina make nine changes for Jordan clash

Applauded by Messi from the bench, Lo Celso's goal was also Argentina's first of the tournament scored by someone other than the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. Messi tops the tournament's scoring charts with five goals in two matches and is currently the leading contender for the Golden Boot. He also tops the all-time goalscorers' list, having netted 18 goals across six World Cups since making his tournament debut in 2006.

In the 31st minute, Lautaro Martinez also got on the scoresheet, converting a penalty to give Argentina a 2-0 lead over Jordan.   

Messi had opened his campaign with his first World Cup hattrick against Algeria before netting a brace against Austria, helping Argentina secure top spot in Group J.

Argentina will next face debutants Cape Verde, who advanced to the Round of 32 as Group H runners-up behind Spain, finishing ahead of already-eliminated Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.