Lionel Messi sets World Cup scoring record as Egypt lodges referee complaint

Lionel Messi became the tournament’s leading scorer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, netting his eighth goal in the 3‑2 Round‑of‑16 win over Egypt. The tally lifted his all‑time World Cup total to 21, extending his lead over Kylian Mbappé and making him the competition’s historic top scorer. Messi also matched Guillermo Stábile’s record of eight goals in a single edition, a feat not achieved since 1930, and recorded his ninth World Cup assist, surpassing Diego Maradona for the most assists in tournament history. In addition, he became the first player to score in six consecutive knockout‑stage matches.

Following the match, the Egyptian Football Federation filed a formal complaint with FIFA, accusing French referee Francois Letexier and the VAR team of “serious errors and double standards” that they say led to Egypt’s elimination. The federation demanded an investigation, the removal of the officiating crew from the tournament, and cited several disputed decisions, including a cancelled goal and a denied penalty claim.

The dual developments highlight Messi’s individual milestone and the controversy surrounding the match’s officiating, underscoring the high stakes of the World Cup’s knockout phase.