Lionel Messi added yet another remarkable chapter to his legendary career after leading Argentina into the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 with a hard-fought victory over Cape Verde.
The Argentine captain found the back of the net during the dramatic 3-2 extra-time win at Hard Rock Stadium, taking his tally to 20 FIFA World Cup goals while also reaching a historic milestone that no player in football history has achieved before.
Also Read: Lionel Messi breaks Pelé's long-standing FIFA World Cup record as Argentina beat Cape Verde
Messi becomes first player to score seven or more goals in consecutive World Cups
Messi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 29th minute, once again delivering on the biggest stage for the reigning world champions. The strike marked his seventh goal of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, making him the first player in football history to score seven or more goals in two consecutive editions of the tournament.
The Argentine legend had previously netted seven goals during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring once against Saudi Arabia and Mexico in the group stage, before adding goals against Australia in the Round of 16, the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, Croatia in the semi-finals and a brace against France in the final as Argentina lifted the trophy.
The 39-year-old has continued that extraordinary scoring form in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, already registering seven goals in just four appearances. His tally includes the first FIFA World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career, which came against Algeria earlier in the tournament.
With Argentina still alive in the competition, Messi now has the opportunity to further extend his remarkable World Cup scoring record as they face Egypt next on Tuesday, July 7.
Argentina survive Cape Verde scare to reach Round of 16
While Messi once again delivered for Argentina, Cape Verde produced one of the most spirited performances of the tournament and pushed the defending champions to the limit. After Messi's opener, Deroy Duarte equalised for the World Cup debutants in the second half before Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's advantage.
Cape Verde refused to back down, however, with Sidny Lopes Cabral scoring a spectacular long-range equaliser to force the contest into extra time. Argentina eventually prevailed 3-2 to secure their place in the Round of 16, but the performance of Cape Verde earned widespread praise from football fans after the tournament newcomers came within touching distance of one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history.
Also Read: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, World Cup Hero against Argentina, available as Free Agent
Messi's latest record-breaking night ultimately proved decisive as Argentina kept their hopes of defending the FIFA World Cup title firmly alive.