Messi breaks more World Cup records in Egypt thriller

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the Round of 16 in Atlanta in a World Cup classic, and in the process added a few more records to his name, extended his lead in the Golden Boot race and even made an unflattering record.

Nine-match scoring streak

Messi already held the longest scoring streak in World Cups ahead of the match, but with his 83rd minute strike, which made it 2-2, he extended his streak to nine matches.

The second-longest scoring streaks belong to Brazil’s Jairzinho and France’s Just Fontaine.

Knockout specialist

His equaliser against Egypt also made him the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches, extending another record.

All-time leading scorer

The goal took Messi's overall World Cup tally to 21, further extending his record as the competition's all-time leading scorer.

France’s Kylian Mbappe is trailing him with 19 goals while ex-Germany striker Miroslav Klose is third with 16 goals.

Golden Boot race

Messi's eighth goal of the 2026 tournament moved him clear at the top of the Golden Boot race with eight goals, one goal more than Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland.

Unwanted record

Messi also made an unwanted record after seeing his first-half penalty saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.

With the miss, he became the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup, having also failed from the spot against Austria in the group stage.

Penalty struggles

The miss also extended another unwanted record. Messi has now failed to convert four of his eight penalties in regulation time at World Cups, the most misses by any player in the tournament's history.