Lionel Messi has scored again, making the contest against Cape Verde the record-extending eighth consecutive World Cup match in which Argentina’s captain has delivered at least one goal.
Messi’s goal in the 29th minute against Cape Verde on Friday was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two goals ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe on the all-time list.
Messi has seven goals in this World Cup — one more than Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the tournament — and has scored 12 times in his last eight World Cup matches.
Messi, the World Cup’s top scorer of all time, has also become the first player ever to make 30 appearances at the tournament.
“For me, it represents a lot to be friends with him,” said Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate with Argentina and Inter Miami.
“For me, friendship is one of the most important things that we all have and I consider myself fortunate to be there, to share these moments with him.”
And there has been no shortage of moments.
Messi had the game’s first good chance Friday, his all-world left foot sending a shot skidding across the goal mouth but outside of the right post in the 15th minute.
After getting taken down, he had a 25-yard free kick three minutes later that was easily gobbled up by Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
But the momentum was shifting, and before long, Messi broke through for a 1-0 lead.
He timed his run perfectly on a ball played into the box by defender Lisandro Martinez to stay onside, controlled the pass and then lifted a shot over Vozinha’s left shoulder from close range for his 124th international goal. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, with 146, has more.
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