New Delhi: Lionel Messi scored his 7th goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Cabo Verde early Saturday. With this goal, the 39-year-old became the first player in history to score seven goals in two editions of the world’s biggest football tournament.
In the 29th minute, a lofted through ball from defender Lisandro Martinez from near the centre of the field was received by Messi in the penalty box before a sublime finish with his left foot. He has now taken his all-time World Cup goals tally to 20.
Messi’s masterclass at the 2026 FIFA World Cup began in Group J with a sensational hat-trick against Algeria, where he registered six shots and dictated the tempo to anchor a victory. He carried that elite momentum directly into Argentina’s second group match against Austria, netting a crucial brace that included a dramatic, injury-time strike to seal a 2-0 win.
In the final group fixture against Jordan, Messi showcased his efficiency by coming off the bench for just 30 minutes, yet still managed to convert a sublime free-kick from outside the penalty box to keep his scoring streak alive.
In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Messi scored seven goals in the entire tournament.
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Nail-biting finish
The high-voltage Round of 32 match ended 3-2 in favour of Argentina after 120 minutes. After Messi’s opener, Deory Duarte equalised for Cabo Verde from a tight-angle finish in the 59th minute. The match ended 1-1 in the regulation time.
Just two minutes into the extra time, Martinez fired Argentina ahead with a rifle shot which whizzed past the 40-year-old Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. However, the Blue Sharks kept up their pressure on the defending champions and pulled off another comeback with one of the best goals of the tournament from Sidny Lopes Cabral, who curled to the top corner from the left wing.
In the second half of extra time, Messi swung in a corner to the centre of the box, where defender Cristian Romero rose highest to head the ball, which went inside the net after a deflection from one of the players of Cabo Verde.
With this victory, Argentina extended its unbeaten run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Scaloni’s side finished atop Group J with three wins from three matches before edging past Cabo Verde in their first knockout fixture.
After Argentina survived the Cabo Verde scare in the Round of 32, they will now face Egypt in the next round.