Lionel Messi added yet another unforgettable chapter to his legendary FIFA World Cup career after inspiring Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the Round of 32 on Friday.
The defending champions were pushed to the limit as Cape Verde twice fought back before Diney Borges’ unfortunate own goal in the 111th minute finally secured Argentina’s place in the Round of 16.
Messi had earlier opened the scoring in the 29th minute, collecting Lisandro Martinez’s long pass before delicately chipping goalkeeper Vozinha.
The Ronaldo vs Messi debate is done. Messi is on another level.
Messi has extended his records of goals in the World Cup (20) and consecutive World Cup matches with a goal (8). pic.twitter.com/nUBgvhoByH
— Jonny Dee
(@0xJonnyDee) July 3, 2026
The goal not only set Argentina on its way to victory but also saw the 39-year-old rewrite the World Cup record books once again.
Here’s every major milestone Messi achieved against Cape Verde.
20 World Cup goals – A record no one else has reached
Messi became the first player, man or woman, to score 20 career FIFA World Cup goals, extending his all-time tournament scoring record.
First player to score 7+ goals in two different World Cups
Messi now has seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, matching the seven he scored during Argentina’s title-winning campaign in Qatar four years ago.
No player in World Cup history has previously scored seven or more goals in two separate editions.
Eight consecutive World Cup appearances with a goal
The Argentine captain became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive appearances, extending the longest scoring streak the tournament has ever seen.
During that run, Messi has scored 12 goals.
Five straight knockout matches with a goal
Messi also became the first player since detailed World Cup records began in the 1960s to score in five consecutive knockout-stage matches.
He has now found the net in every knockout game dating back to the latter stages of Qatar 2022.
Most goal contributions in World Cup knockout history
Messi now has 12 goal contributions (six goals and six assists) in World Cup knockout matches, surpassing both Pele and Kylian Mbappe for the most in the last 60 years.
Most goals as World Cup captain
His strike against Cape Verde also extended his record for the most World Cup goals scored as captain, taking his tally to 19.
Most different opponents scored against
Cape Verde became the 14th different nation Messi has scored against at the FIFA World Cup.
That is the highest number by any player in tournament history. Jurgen Klinsmann, Ronaldo Nazario and Miroslav Klose are next with goals against 10 different opponents each.
Third-oldest scorer in a men’s World Cup knockout match
At 39 years and nine days, Messi became the third-oldest player to score in a men’s World Cup knockout match, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil great Pepe.
Most World Cup appearances
Messi made his 30th FIFA World Cup appearance, extending his own all-time record.
Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the list with 26 appearances.
Closing in on another Argentina record
Messi’s goal took him to seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, leaving him just one short of Guillermo Stábile’s Argentina record of eight goals at a single World Cup, set in 1930.
He is also only two goals behind Ademir’s South American men’s record of nine goals in a single edition, achieved for Brazil in 1950.
10 goal involvements in his last six knockout games
Messi has now been directly involved in 10 goals in his last six World Cup knockout appearances, registering six goals and four assists during that stretch.
14 World Cup goals after turning 35
Remarkably, Messi has now scored 14 World Cup goals after the age of 35.
The next highest is Cameroon’s Roger Milla with five, highlighting the extraordinary longevity of the Argentine legend.
Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 next.
