Lo Celso Scores on World Cup Debut After Two Tournaments Benched
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1, with midfielder Giovani Lo Celso scoring a free kick on his long-awaited World Cup debut. Lo Celso had been selected for Argentina’s 2018 and 2022 World Cup squads but never played, due to coaching decisions and a severe injury. Now 30, playing for Real Betis, he finally made an impact, wearing the No. 11 jersey previously worn by Ángel Di María. His goal marked the first non-Messi Argentine World Cup goal since the 2022 final.
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Lo Celso: 'I am very well at Betis'
Giovani Lo Celso, Real Betis midfielder, was named MVP of Argentina's World Cup group-stage win over Jordan, scoring directly from a free kick in his World Cup debut. Argentina advances to the round of 32 with a perfect record. After the match, Lo Celso addressed speculation linking him to River Plate, stating it is not something he expects to happen, emphasizing he is 'very happy' at Betis and fully focused on the World Cup. He has a contract with Betis until June 2028. Lo Celso expressed deep emotion at finally making his World Cup debut after being on the 2018 squad without playing and missing 2022 due to injury, calling the moment 'unforgettable.'
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaLo Celso: 'I am very happy at Betis' After World Cup MVP Performance
Argentina and Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was named Man of the Match after scoring a direct free kick in Argentina's 3-1 victory over Jordan in the 2026 World Cup group stage. The reigning champions have a perfect record and advance to the round of 32, where they will face Cape Verde. Speaking after the match, Lo Celso dismissed rumors linking him to River Plate, emphasizing his happiness at Betis, where he is under contract until June 2028. This was his first World Cup appearance after being an unused substitute in 2018 and missing the 2022 tournament due to injury. He described his debut goal as 'very exciting' and 'unforgettable.'
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaLo Celso: 'I am very well at Betis'
In a post-match interview after Argentina's World Cup group stage victory over Jordan, Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso dismissed transfer rumors linking him to River Plate. Lo Celso, who scored a direct free kick and was named MVP in his World Cup debut, stated he has a contract with Betis until June 2028 and is very happy at the club. He expressed deep emotion over finally playing in a World Cup after being an unused substitute in 2018 and missing 2022 due to injury. Argentina advanced to the round of 32 with a perfect record and will face Cape Verde next.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaLo Celso shines in World Cup debut, addresses River Plate rumors and Messi link
Giovani Lo Celso, Real Betis midfielder, made his long-awaited World Cup debut for Argentina in the 2026 tournament, scoring a free kick and being named MVP in a 3-1 win over Jordan. Lo Celso had been in Russia 2018 without playing, missed the 2022 Qatar World Cup due to injury, and was benched for Argentina's first two matches in 2026. After the match, he dismissed rumors linking him to River Plate, stating he is happy at Betis and focused on the World Cup. The article notes that Inter Miami, where his friend Lionel Messi plays, is interested in signing him. Lo Celso has a contract with Betis until 2028.
FútbolLo Celso Scores First Argentine Non-Messi World Cup Goal Since Di Maria
In the final round of World Cup Group J, Argentina defeated Jordan with a direct free kick goal from Giovani Lo Celso, wearing the No. 11 jersey. Statistics show this is the first time an Argentine player other than Lionel Messi has scored in a World Cup match since Angel Di Maria’s goal in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final. Coincidentally, Di Maria also wore the No. 11 jersey for Argentina, and both players hail from Rosario Central. The article highlights that prior to this match, Argentina's goals at the tournament were heavily reliant on Messi, and Lo Celso's strike adds new attacking depth for the blue-and-white squad.
虎扑 - 足球Lo Celso Scores First World Cup Goal in Argentina Debut After Years of Setbacks
On June 27, 2026, Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso scored his first World Cup goal from a free kick in Argentina's match against Jordan, marking a personal redemption after two World Cup cycles of disappointment. In the 2018 Russia World Cup, Lo Celso was given key training roles by coach Sampaoli but never played a minute. For the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he secured a starting spot but suffered a serious injury just before the tournament, forcing him to miss the squad entirely. He later joined the championship celebration but could not play. Now aged 30, Lo Celso has finally made his World Cup debut and scored a stunning free kick in the absence of Lionel Messi. The article highlights coach Lionel Scaloni's persistent trust in Lo Celso, even when the player lacked match fitness at Real Betis, a faith repaid with a crucial assist in the 2024 Copa America final and this debut goal. Lo Celso has also inherited Angel Di Maria's symbolic No. 11 jersey.
虎扑 - 足球Lo Celso Scores on World Cup Debut After Zero Appearances in Previous Two Tournaments
In the final round of the World Cup group stage, Argentina faced Jordan, and midfielder Giovani Lo Celso scored a free-kick goal in the 19th minute, marking his first-ever World Cup appearance. Lo Celso had been included in Argentina's squads for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups but did not play in either tournament. In 2018, he remained on the bench for all four matches, and in 2022, he missed out due to a muscle tear. In the first two matches of this World Cup, he was also an unused substitute. This match was his long-awaited World Cup debut, and he made an immediate impact by scoring.
虎扑 - 足球Lo Celso Poised for World Cup Debut After Two Tournaments on Bench
Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso is expected to make his World Cup debut in the final group stage match against Jordan, despite this being his second World Cup selection. The 30-year-old Real Betis player was controversially not used by coach Sampaoli in the 2018 Russia World Cup despite Argentina's midfield struggles. Lo Celso then missed the 2022 Qatar World Cup due to a severe right biceps femoris tear, watching from home as Argentina won the title. He and goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli are the only two players in the current squad selected for two World Cups without playing a minute. With Argentina aiming for a perfect group-stage record, coach Scaloni has tested a rotated lineup in training, making Lo Celso highly likely to start against Jordan.
虎扑 - 足球