Lionel Messi nets record 20th World Cup goal, extending streak to eight matches

Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Cape Verde, marking his eighth consecutive World Cup match with at least one goal and his 124th international tally. The goal, a close-range finish after a pass from Lisandro Martínez, gave Argentina the lead and moved Messi ahead of Kylian Mbappé in the tournament's all‑time scoring list.

Messi now has seven goals in the current competition, one more than Mbappé, and is leading the Golden Boot race alongside other contenders such as Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. If the top scorers are tied at the tournament’s end, FIFA will use assists and minutes played as tiebreakers. Teammate Rodrigo De Paul praised the moment, saying, "For me, it represents a lot to be friends with him."

Argentina and Messi will advance to the Round of 16 with a win, joining Norway, England, France and other nations that have already secured their spots.