Lionel Messi broke yet another World Cup record when he came off the bench to score in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Jordan, making him the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The goal, a low free-kick 10 minutes from time, also extended his all-time World Cup scoring record to 19 goals and moved him clear in the race for the Golden Boot. For a player who has already won almost everything in the game, these records cement his legacy as the greatest to have played in the tournament.
So what exactly is happening? Messi, now playing for Inter Miami, is at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. He was rested for the final group game against Jordan because Argentina had already secured top spot in Group J. But with the score at 2-1 and Jordan threatening an equaliser, manager Lionel Scaloni brought him on as part of a triple substitution. When Argentina won a free kick 25 yards out, Messi slotted the ball through a gap in the Jordan wall and past goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila. It was his sixth goal in three games at this tournament and his 19th overall in World Cup finals – both records.
“Lionel Messi set a record by scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches, extending his all-time goal tally to 19.”
The background to this achievement stretches back to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Messi scored in every knockout stage game on the way to lifting the trophy: the last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final. Combined with his two group-stage goals, he ended that tournament with a streak of six matches scoring. The goal against Jordan extended that run to seven, surpassing the previous shared record of six held by France’s Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil’s Jairzinho (1970). Messi already held records for most World Cup appearances (26) and most goals. Now he has the longest scoring streak too.
For UK readers, this matters because World Cup records are part of football culture, and England fans will be watching Argentina’s progress closely. Argentina are defending champions and a potential opponent for England in the knockout stages. Messi’s form – he also has three assists in the tournament – makes Argentina one of the favourites. Moreover, the Golden Boot race is a major talking point: Messi leads with six goals, two clear of the next highest scorers. If he wins it, he would add that trophy to his collection of Ballon d’Ors and World Cup winners’ medal.
Q: How many World Cup goals has Messi scored? Messi has scored 19 goals in World Cup finals, the most by any player in the history of the tournament. He surpassed the previous record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose (16) during the 2022 World Cup.
Q: Which players previously held the record for consecutive World Cup matches with a goal? The record was previously shared by France's Just Fontaine (1958) and Brazil's Jairzinho (1970), who each scored in six consecutive World Cup games. Messi's goal against Jordan made it seven in a row.
Q: What is the Golden Boot and who is Messi competing against? The Golden Boot is awarded to the top scorer at each World Cup. Messi has never won it. He currently leads the 2026 race with six goals, two clear of the next-closest players. The competition will continue into the knockout stages.
What happens next? Argentina will now prepare for the last-32 (round of 32) as group winners. Their opponent is yet to be determined. Messi will likely start that match. If he scores, the streak will extend to eight games. The knockout rounds begin immediately, with the final scheduled for July.