Lionel Messi set a new World Cup record on 3 July, breaking Pele's mark for most goal contributions in World Cup knockout matches. His 29th-minute opener helped Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami.
Lionel Messi set a new World Cup record on 3 July, breaking Pele's mark for most goal contributions in World Cup knockout matches. His 29th-minute opener helped Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami.
The defending champions were made to work. Cape Verde, in their first World Cup knockout tie, equalised through Deroy Duarte before the hour, the country's first knockout-stage goal.
Lisandro Martinez restored the lead early in extra time from a corner, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to curl in a second equaliser for 2-2. The decisive goal came in the second half of extra time, when Messi's corner was headed home by Romero with a slight deflection off Diney Borges.
Emiliano Martinez then denied a late Lopes Cabral free-kick to secure passage.
Messi later appeared at his news conference with visible swelling above his right eye after a collision. "It hurts a little but I'm good," he said.
He praised the opposition. "Well, honestly, we knew, we knew it was going to be a very tough game. It is no coincidence that this team had not lost to Spain or Uruguay," Messi said. Cape Verde had drawn 0-0 with Spain in the group stage.
Lionel Messi broke Pele's 56-year-old record for goal involvements in World Cup knockout matches during Argentina's 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde on 3 July in Miami.
The 39-year-old opened the scoring in the 29th minute. It was his 12th goal contribution in World Cup knockout football, moving him past the 11 shared by Pelé and Kylian Mbappe.
Messi's knockout haul now stands at six goals and six assists. Pele managed eight goals and three assists across 1958, 1962 and 1970. Mbappe's total is nine goals and two assists.
The opener was also Messi's 20th career World Cup goal, extending his all-time record. He timed his run onto a diagonal pass from Lisandro Martinez, controlled it and lifted a finish over goalkeeper Vozinha.
The milestones did not stop there. Messi became the first player to score in eight consecutive World Cup matches, a run dating to Argentina's 2022 triumph. He also reached nine World Cup assists, one more than the previous best of eight held by Diego Maradona.
With his seventh goal of the tournament, Messi moved clear at the top of the Golden Boot race. He and Mbappe had gone into the fixture level on six. He is now the first player to score seven or more goals at two separate World Cups, matching his 2022 output.
Messi has scored 20 goals in 30 World Cup appearances, more than any other player. His international total reached 124 goals, with only Cristiano Ronaldo ahead with 146 goals.
Argentina, chasing back-to-back titles, advance to the Round of 16, where they face Egypt. Cape Verde are out.
