Lionel Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, extends streak to 8 games and takes Golden Boot lead

By — Tim Reynolds, Associated Press Tim Reynolds, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/lionel-messi-scores-20th-world-cup-goal-extends-streak-to-8-games-and-takes-golden-boot-lead Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Lionel Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, extends streak to 8 games and takes Golden Boot lead World Jul 4, 2026 12:50 PM EDT MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi's goal-scoring streak lived on, and he made it look easy. His hopes of a second consecutive World Cup title also lived on — and that accomplishment was anything but easy. Messi's goal in the 29th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé on the all-time list. It was the opener of what became a wild night, with Argentina escaping with a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in extra time against a huge underdog. WATCH: Hard-fought win raises hopes for U.S. in World Cup Messi was pictured later at his media conference with a large bump on his head after apparently being hit with a knee during a collision with a Cape Verde player. "It hurts a little but I'm good," he was quoted in comments translated from Spanish about the goose-egg over his right eye. A FIFA post on X showed a definite welt. Messi — who now has goals in a record eight consecutive World Cup games going back to Argentina's run to the 2022 title — seemed relieved after the match, and lauded Cape Verde's defense. "We did good things," Messi said in his native Spanish, "and we have to correct the bad things." Messi has seven goals in this World Cup — one more than Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the tournament — and has scored 12 times during his eight-game World Cup streak. He has been great, and Argentina has needed him to be great. READ MORE: Lionel Messi breaks World Cup scoring record with his 17th and 18th goals in Argentina win "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. READ MORE: Lionel Messi ties men's World Cup goals record with a hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria 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 in