Lionel Messi sets World Cup record with seventh consecutive goal

Thirty‑nine‑year‑old Lionel Messi entered the match against Jordan as a substitute and scored an 80th‑minute free‑kick, giving Argentina a 3‑1 win. The goal made him the first player in World Cup history to score in seven consecutive matches, breaking the record previously shared by Just Fontaine and Jairzinho. It also took his tournament tally to six goals, placing him atop the golden‑boot race and making him the fifth player ever to net six or more goals in a single group‑stage.

Argentina had already secured qualification to the round of 32, and coach Lionel Scaloni said, “It’s a little bit of an uncomfortable situation when people ask me that and I don’t know what to say,” about Messi’s continued scoring. Scaloni added that the team will face debutants Cape Verde in Miami, noting, “They’re a good team… I can guarantee you they’re a team that’s going to make it difficult for us.”

Messi’s record adds a new milestone to the 2026 tournament as Argentina prepares for the knockout phase.