Messi Sets Incredible World Record with Goals in Eight Consecutive World Cup Matches

Messi has now become the first and only player in FIFA World Cup history to score in eight consecutive matches, setting a remarkable new world record.

His extraordinary run began during Argentina’s triumphant campaign in Qatar. Messi scored against Australia in the Round of 16, the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, Croatia in the semi-finals and France in the final.

He has carried that form into the 2026 World Cup, scoring against Algeria, Austria, Jordan and now Cape Verde to extend his streak to eight straight World Cup matches.

The previous record of scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches was shared by France’s Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil’s Jairzinho (1970). By surpassing both legends, Messi now stands alone at the top with an unmatched streak of eight consecutive World Cup games with a goal.

On the night he achieved this extraordinary feat, Messi also reached another impressive milestone. During Argentina’s title-winning campaign in Qatar, he scored seven goals throughout the tournament. In contrast, he has matched that tally in just four matches at the 2026 World Cup.

The Argentine captain opened this tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria, followed it with a brace against Austria, scored once against Jordan and added another against Cape Verde, reaching seven goals in record time.

Messi also opened the scoring in this milestone match. In the 29th minute, he expertly controlled a pass from Lautaro Martínez before delicately lofting the ball over 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, producing another trademark finish.

Thanks to his sensational form, Messi has moved to the top of the Golden Boot race with seven goals, overtaking France’s Kylian Mbappé, who has six.

The goal also took Messi’s overall World Cup tally to 20 goals, extending his record as the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Mbappé sits second on the all-time list with 18 goals.