ATLANTA— Lionel Messi extended his record for scoring in consecutive FIFA World Cup matches to nine after finding the net in Argentina's quarter-final victory over Egypt, helping the defending champions advance while adding another milestone to his unparalleled World Cup career.
The 39-year-old captain scored during Argentina's knockout-stage win, stretching a run that began in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has continued throughout the 2026 tournament. FIFA said the goal moved Messi beyond his own mark of eight successive World Cup appearances with a goal and further clear of previous record holders Jairzinho of Brazil and France's Just Fontaine, who each scored in six consecutive World Cup matches.
Messi's streak started with goals against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia and France during Argentina's successful 2022 World Cup campaign. He has since scored in every appearance at the 2026 finals, beginning with a hat-trick against Algeria in the group stage, followed by goals against Austria, Jordan, Cabo Verde and Egypt.
The latest strike also added to Messi's standing among the tournament's all-time leading scorers. Earlier in the competition, FIFA confirmed he had surpassed former Germany forward Miroslav Klose's previous World Cup scoring record before extending his tally as Argentina progressed through the knockout rounds.
Argentina, coached by Lionel Scaloni, advanced to the semi-finals as they continued their defence of the title won in Qatar four years earlier. Messi has remained central to the team's campaign despite entering the tournament as the oldest outfield player in Argentina's squad.
The captain has also extended several other World Cup records during the 2026 tournament, including appearances, victories and assists, according to FIFA statistics. His latest goal further strengthened Argentina's attack as the South American side pursued back-to-back World Cup titles.
FIFA's official records list Messi as the first player to score in nine consecutive World Cup appearances, a sequence spanning two tournaments and nearly four years. Guinness World Records also recognized the achievement after the quarter-final victory, stating that the run began against Australia on Dec. 3, 2022, and reached nine matches with his goal against Egypt on July 7, 2026.
Argentina next faced Switzerland in the semi-finals as the team sought to extend its title defence and move one match closer to another World Cup crown.
