Lionel Messi is rewriting football history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as he took us all back in time with Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time win against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32. The Argentina captain surpassed Diego Maradona to become the player with the most assists in FIFA World Cup history, which is another record in his glittering international career.
Messi made his ninth World Cup assist which is more than Maradona's eight and also produced another match-winning performance to help the defending champions earn a place in the Round of 16.
He also etched his name into World Cup history by becoming the first player in the history of the tournament to score in eight straight games in the World Cup. In the first half of his match against Cabo Verde, his first goal in the tournament added to the fantastic run of goals in Argentina’s epochal 2022 campaign in Qatar that has continued into 2026.
Messi’s strike also took his total FIFA World Cup goals tally to 20, making him one of the all-time greatest goalscorers in the tournament. The Inter Miami star achieved yet another landmark as he became the first footballer to score seven goals in two different FIFA World Cup tournaments. Seven goals in Argentina’s title-winning campaign in Qatar also translated in the 2026 tournament with him now among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot.
Messi was tied with France captain Kylian Mbappé with six goals going into the knockout match against the French team. His latest goal took Lionel Messi ahead of Kylian Mbappé and underlined his remarkable consistency on football’s biggest stage.
The Round of 32 in Miami was much more difficult for Cabo Verde than many thought. Cabo Verde, who were making their first-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds, showed remarkable resilience and pushed the world champions to the brink.
Argentina slowly took control after a bright start by the African nation. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Lisandro Martínez delivered a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to Messi. The Argentine captain controlled the ball easily before smashing his finish into the roof of the net, leaving goalkeeper Vozinha with no chance.
Cabo Verde, despite losing at halftime, wasn’t going to be deterred. Their persistence paid off just before the hour mark when Ryan Mendes found Deroy Duarte who calmly finished from a tight angle to score Cabo Verde's first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.
Argentina was able to create a number of dangerous opportunities but veteran goalkeeper Vozinha made a number of great saves, including many denials of Messi goals, in the last few minutes to keep the game alive and take it to extra time.
The defending champions took the advantage again almost immediately after extra time started when Lisandro Martínez reacted quickest after a corner to score from close range. But Cabo Verde battled back again as Sidny Lopes Cabral scored one of the goals of the tournament and curled a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 2-2.
Messi had to deliver again when penalties were on the way. His perfect corner went to Cristian Romero, whose header took a slight deflection off Diney Borges before crossing the line for the decisive goal.
Cabo Verde made one last push to find another equaliser but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save to stop Lopes Cabral's powerful strike and keep his side on track.
Argentina will now go to Egypt in the Round of 16 and is on course to win the World Cup again. Cabo Verde’s historic campaign was over, but the debutants were hailed for taking the reigning champions to extra time and becoming one of the breakout teams in the competition.
But for Messi, the night belonged to history once more. And with records broken and Argentina still alive in the tournament, the legendary forward is well on course to write another great chapter in one of football’s greatest careers.
