Argentina finished the group like a serious knockout team. Rotated XI, Messi on the bench, still three goals, still nine points, still a very friendly R32 route against Cabo Verde.
The important fantasy bit is not just that Messi scored again. It is that Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso joined the returns too, which gives Argentina more routes to points if you do not want every draft to be Messi plus hope.
Here are the Demon Notes from Jordan 1-3 Argentina: Messi's free-kick, Lautaro's penalty, Lo Celso's set-piece, Al-Taamari giving Jordan a moment, and what Argentina v Cabo Verde means for R32 chips.
Jordan 1-3 Argentina
- Goals: Giovani Lo Celso, Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi; Musa Al-Taamari for Jordan
- Messi came off the bench and scored his sixth goal of the tournament
- Argentina finish Group J with 9 points and a +7 goal difference
- Jordan exit with three defeats, but scored in the second half through Al-Taamari
- R32 route: Argentina v Cabo Verde is now the confirmed/current Demon route
Team Stats
Player Stats
| Player | Pos | Price | Output | Match stats | Fantasy verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | MID | 10.5m | Goal | Came off the bench and scored a direct free-kick | Elite R32 captain and Qualification Booster pick |
| Lautaro Martinez | FWD | 9.0m | Goal | Converted Argentina's first-half penalty | Good route, but watch whether Alvarez or Lautaro starts |
| Giovani Lo Celso | MID | 6.5m | Goal | Opened the scoring with a free-kick | Set-piece value, but minutes make him more punt than banker |
| Emiliano Martinez | GK | 5.5m | 1 conceded | Kept his place while Argentina rotated heavily | Strong Shield option vs Cabo Verde |
| Julian Alvarez | FWD | 8.5m | Started | Part of the rotated attack before Messi entered | Still in the R32 conversation if starting XI lands his way |
| Musa Al-Taamari | MID | 6.0m | Goal | Pulled one back for Jordan | Good tournament moment, but Jordan are out |
Demon Notes
- Messi is still the main event. Six tournament goals and now Cabo Verde next means he belongs near the top of every R32 captain draft.
- Lautaro scoring matters. If he starts R32, he gives Argentina another forward route, but the Alvarez/Lautaro minutes call is the key.
- Lo Celso is the interesting one. Set pieces are real, price is useful, but he still needs the XI to make him more than a punt.
- Argentina defenders and Emi Martinez are very live for Clean Sheet Shield. The chip only needs Argentina to concede 0 or 1, not a normal clean sheet.
- Cabo Verde deserve respect, but from a fantasy view this is one of the clearest Qualification Booster routes in the round.
Round Of 32 Fantasy Angle
Argentina are rated 82% to advance by the Demon manual model and 72% for Clean Sheet Shield against Cabo Verde. That puts them in the same conversation as England, France, Germany and Spain for R32 chip planning.
The clean route is Messi plus one of Emi Martinez, Molina/Romero/Lisandro if the XI is clear, or Lautaro/Alvarez if you want an attacking double. The only warning is rotation: Argentina rested nine players here, so the confirmed R32 team matters.