Group J took a final turn on Saturday as Lionel Messi made history, Argentina completed a perfect campaign and Austria grabbed a stoppage-time equalizer that sent both themselves and Algeria through to the round of 32, ending Iran’s World Cup hopes.

When the final whistle blew, Argentina were on top with three wins from three, Austria had survived thanks to Sasa Kalajdzic’s dramatic late equaliser, Algeria had gone ahead as one of the best third-placed teams and Iran were heading home.

While the battle for qualification went on elsewhere, Messi added another World Cup record to his remarkable career.

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The Argentina captain became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches as the defending champions completed a flawless group-stage campaign by beating Jordan 3-1 in Dallas.

With qualification already secured, coach Lionel Scaloni rested several regular starters, making nine changes to the team that defeated Austria. Even with a much-changed eleven, Argentina controlled the game from the start.

Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring with a spectacular free-kick in the 19th minute, becoming the first Argentine player other than Messi to score at this World Cup. Lautaro Martínez doubled the lead from the penalty spot after his initial effort came off the crossbar.

Messi arrived just after the hour. Twenty minutes later, he was on the scoresheet once again.

His composed performance in the 80th minute took his tally of goals in the World Cup to 19 and his total in the tournament to six. The strike made him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, moving him ahead of France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s legendary Jairzinho.

Jordan pulled one back late but it did not spoil Argentina’s evening as the defending champions secured their third consecutive win. They will now face Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday in Miami.

If Argentina’s progress was routine, the battle for the other two qualification spots was anything but.

Austria, Algeria play out epic draw

Austria and Algeria tied one match of the tournament at 3–3, which went to and fro before giving a final twist in stoppage time.

Marko Arnautovic gave Austria an early lead before Rafik Belghali equalized before the break. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s lead early in the second half, only for Riyad Mahrez to equalize again and keep Algeria in the contest.

The closing minutes turned into pure knockout football.

Mahrez looked to have sent Algeria through with a winner in the third minute of stoppage time, a goal that would have also knocked Austria out. But with almost the last kick of the match, Sasa Kalajdzic scored in the 96th minute to rescue a point and lead to celebrations for both teams.

The draw was enough for Austria to finish second in Group J and set up a round of 32 meeting with Spain. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-place teams and will face Switzerland.

For Iran, whose hopes were pinned on Austria dropping points, Kalajdzic’s late equalizer ended their World Cup campaign in the most brutal manner.

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