Messi Matches 94-Year Argentina World Cup Record With 8th Goal at 2026 Tournament

Lionel Messi has equaled a record that stood since 1930 after scoring his eighth goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup during Argentina’s 3-2 Round of 16 comeback win over Egypt.

The goal continued Messi’s scoring streak to five straight matches at the 2026 tournament. Combined with his last four games at the 2022 World Cup, the Argentina captain has now scored in nine consecutive World Cup appearances — a new FIFA World Cup record.

With eight goals in five matches, the 39-year-old drew level with Guillermo Stábile for the most goals by an Argentine player at a single World Cup. Stábile set the mark at the inaugural 1930 tournament, scoring three against Mexico, two against Chile, two in the semi-final vs. the United States, and one in the final vs. Uruguay.

Messi reached his eight through a hat-trick against Algeria, another hat-trick against Austria, and single goals against Jordan, Cape Verde, and Egypt.

The strike against Egypt also extended two other records. Messi has now scored against more different national teams in World Cup history than any other player, with Egypt the latest added to his list. 

He also pushed his all-time World Cup tally to 21 goals, further extending his lead as the competition’s top scorer. Argentina advances to the quarter-finals.

Messi’s output has surged in his final World Cup campaigns. After scoring seven goals during Argentina’s 2022 title run, he has already topped that with eight in 2026. By contrast, he managed six goals total across his first four World Cups from 2006 to 2018.