Lionel Messi nets 20th World Cup goal, extends record streak and leads Golden Boot race

Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal in the 29th minute of Argentina's Round‑of‑16 match against Cape Verde, held in Miami Gardens. The goal gave Argentina a 1‑0 lead, and the side ultimately won 3‑2 after extra time.

The strike extended Messi’s record to goals in eight consecutive World Cup matches, moving him ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé on the all‑time list and putting him atop the tournament’s Golden Boot race with seven goals. He later set up the winning goal with a corner that found the net in extra time. The match marked Messi’s 124th international goal, and he described the performance as “good things” that the team needed to build on.