Lionel Messi extended his record-breaking scoring streak at the World Cup by netting a goal in Argentina’s latest group stage match, marking his seventh consecutive World Cup game with a goal. The achievement, unprecedented in tournament history, began during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and continued into the current North American edition.

Messi’s contribution came in Argentina’s routine Group J victory over Jordan, where he sealed the win with a well-executed free kick. His performance helped Argentina maintain momentum as they prepare to face Cape Verde in the last 32 round, a match scheduled to take place in Miami. The Florida city holds personal significance for Messi, adding an extra layer of motivation as he seeks to continue his scoring run.

Argentina, the defending champions, could then face Australia or Egypt in the round of 16, with the potential quarter-final opponents including Colombia, widely regarded as one of the strongest remaining teams. While the tournament remains open and unpredictable, Messi’s current form is a strong indicator of Argentina’s attacking threat, having already scored six goals in three games and leading the race for the Golden Boot.

Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, praised Messi’s ability to impact games even with limited time on the field. In the match against Jordan, Messi scored just 20 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute. Scaloni remarked that the real question is usually how long opponents can withstand Messi’s presence, not whether he needs more time to influence the game.

Supporting Messi’s efforts, Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez both contributed to the scoring. Lo Celso opened the scoring with a free kick, while Martínez converted a penalty later in the match. Jordan’s Mousa Al Tamari managed to reduce the deficit with a goal of his own.

Scaloni emphasized the value of giving playing time to squad members who had seen less action in past tournaments. He highlighted the significance of Lo Celso and Martínez scoring, noting that neither had found the net in the previous World Cup. The coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance and rotation strategy ahead of the knockout stages.