“Lautaro Martinez makes his debut scoring in the 2026 World Cup and Nico Paz starts.”

Lautaro Martinez finally broke his drought and scored his first goal in the 2026 World Cup, sealing Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Jordan in the final group stage match. On a night when the South American team fielded a heavily revamped lineup without Lionel Messi in the starting eleven, attention also turned to the absolute debut of Nico Paz as a starter, a young prospect who is shaking up the European transfer market.

The match took place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on June 27, 2026, and was marked by Argentine dominance from the very first minutes. Lautaro Martinez, captain of Inter Milan, coolly converted a penalty in the 31st minute, putting Argentina two goals ahead and on the path to yet another triumph. Nico Paz, a midfielder for Como, started for the first time in a match where Lionel Scaloni’s team had already secured first place in Group J, allowing the coach to make several changes to the lineup.

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The absence of Messi at the start was the main topic of the night, but the Argentine star, now 39 years old, needed only a few minutes on the pitch to shine again. He came on in the second half and scored twice, bringing his total to six goals in the group stage alone – a record that, by itself, would have been enough to win the Golden Boot in ten of the last twelve World Cup editions. His ability to disrupt and maintain an impressive scoring streak even in the final stretch of his career continues to be a phenomenon that defies all expectations.

The young Nico Paz, 21, has also been a key figure off the pitch. His name has been in the headlines due to the complex transfer web involving Como, Real Madrid, and Inter. According to recent reports, Real Madrid is preparing to activate the €9 million buy-back clause, but Como, ambitious and unrestrained by expenses, plans to invest around €60 million to secure the player’s immediate return. This scenario is particularly surprising, considering the restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play, and places Paz at the center of one of the most high-profile deals of this transfer window.

After the final whistle, Lautaro Martinez did not hide his satisfaction with the goal finally scored in this World Cup: “I worked hard to help the team, I knew the goal would eventually come. It was important to score and ensure we finished the group stage with the maximum points,” said the Inter forward, visibly emotional in front of Argentine television microphones. Lionel Messi also reacted to his impressive record: “The important thing is to help Argentina go as far as possible. Goals are a consequence of the team’s work,” commented the captain, emphasizing the collective spirit that reigns in the Argentine locker room.

With this victory, Argentina advances unbeaten to the round of 16, reinforcing its status as a title contender. The individual brilliance of Messi and the confirmation of the talent of young players like Nico Paz provide assurances that the Albiceleste team has quality solutions in all areas. The focus now shifts to the next opponent, which will be determined after the final round of group matches, but one thing is certain: no one will want to face an inspired and improving Argentina.

The impact of these events goes far beyond the simple victory. Messi continues to shatter records and demonstrate longevity at the highest level, while Lautaro Martinez gains confidence at a crucial moment in the competition. The debut of Nico Paz, in turn, could mark the beginning of a new era for the national team, while the transfer market promises surprising new chapters surrounding the young player. It remains to be seen whether Argentina can transform this collective strength into a triumphant path to the final and whether Nico Paz will confirm on the pitch the value that is already stirring interest behind the scenes of European football.

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