Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer as Argentina advanced to the knockout stage following a 2-0 victory over Austria. Messi scored his 17th World Cup goal, surpassing the previous record, after recovering from an earlier penalty miss. The match took place in Dallas, United States, according to Xinhua.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, narrowly defeated Cape Verde 3-2 after extra-time in a thrilling match, securing their place in the World Cup last 16. The game took place on Friday and showcased the resilience of the Argentine team against the underdog Cape Verde.

In the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina, the reigning champions, secured a place in the Round of 16 by defeating Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time in Miami. Key contributions came from Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martinez, and an own goal by Diney, helping Argentina overcome the challenge posed by the tournament debutants.

Lionel Messi set nine new FIFA World Cup records during Argentina's recent victory against Cape Verde, surpassing the achievements of both Pelé and Kylian Mbappé. This performance further cements Messi's legacy in football history.

Kylian Mbappé of France scored his 19th career World Cup goal during the Round of 16 match against Paraguay in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026. He converted a penalty kick, bringing him within one goal of the record holder, Lionel Messi of Argentina. This goal marks Mbappé's achievement in 19 World Cup appearances, as he continues to compete for the Golden Boot.

As of July 5, 2026, Kylian Mbappé has scored his seventh goal in five matches at the FIFA World Cup, placing him joint top scorer alongside Lionel Messi, who has also netted seven goals but in four games. Messi's latest goal was scored in the Round of 32 against Cape Verde, according to Eastleigh Voice.