Messi continued his remarkable run of form by becoming the player with the most assists in FIFA World Cup history. The Argentine captain surpassed legendary compatriot Diego Maradona's long-standing record after registering his ninth World Cup assist, moving ahead of Maradona's tally of eight. Alongside this achievement, Messi also became the first player in the tournament's history to score in eight consecutive World Cup matches.
The Argentina captain opened the scoring against Cape Verde in the 29th minute. He converted a superb pass from Lisandro Martinez to give his side the lead with his 20th FIFA World Cup goal. Messi already holds the record for the highest number of goals in FIFA World Cup history, and he also became the first player to score seven goals in two separate World Cup editions.
Messi has also climbed to the top of the goalscoring chart at the FIFA World Cup 2026. France forward Kylian Mbappe remains his closest challenger with six goals in the tournament, intensifying the race for the Golden Boot.
Despite Messi's brilliance, Argentina endured a difficult contest against a determined Cape Verde side. The score remained locked at 2-2 after the regulation 90 minutes, leaving the match delicately balanced. However, in extra time, Cape Verde player Dine Borges inadvertently turned Messi's shot into his own net while attempting a clearance. The own goal proved decisive as Argentina secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory and advanced to the next stage of the competition.
Messi's record-breaking performance once again underlined his extraordinary influence on the world's biggest football stage. His latest achievements not only helped Argentina escape a stunning elimination but also further strengthened his legacy as one of the greatest players in FIFA World Cup history.
About The Author
Comment List