Lionel Messi sets World Cup record with goal in seventh straight game

Lionel Messi sets World Cup record with goal in seventh straight game

Lionel Messi became the first player in history to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches during Argentina's 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday, June 28, 2026. The 39-year-old Inter Miami captain came off the bench in the Group J finale in Dallas to secure a perfect group stage record for the reigning world champions.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni implemented nine changes to the starting lineup, as the holders had already guaranteed the top spot in their group. Only goalkeeper Emi Martinez and forward Lautaro Martinez retained their places in the squad. The tactical rotation allowed Scaloni to manage the workload of an aging squad ahead of a demanding knockout route, where Argentina will have only four days between matches compared to five for teams such as Germany.

The Albiceleste took control early in the match. In the 19th minute, Giovani Lo Celso scored the opening goal with a curling free-kick after being fouled by Mohannad Abutaha. Lo Celso, who missed the 2018 tournament due to injury, became the first Argentine player other than Messi to score in this World Cup. Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead 12 minutes later, converting a penalty following a VAR review that determined Nizar Al-Rashdan had fouled Marcos Senesi in the box.

Jordan, making its debut appearance in the tournament, responded in the second half. Captain Ehsan Haddad provided a low cross that substitute Mousa Al-Tamari converted on the stretch. The goal marked the first time Emi Martinez was beaten in the 2026 finals and ensured Jordan exited the competition having scored in all three of its group matches.

Messi was introduced in the 60th minute to a roar from the Dallas crowd. After an initial attempt from a long-distance free-kick failed to find the target, the veteran was fouled 25 meters from goal. In the 80th minute, Messi struck a low free-kick around the wall that caught goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila flat-footed, nesting in the middle of the net.

The goal solidified several milestones for the forward:

• He is the first man to score in seven consecutive World Cup games, surpassing the marks of Jairzinho and Just Fontaine.
• He extended his all-time World Cup scoring record to 19 goals, moving further ahead of Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappe, who both have 16, and Ronaldo Nazario, who has 15.
• He currently leads the 2026 Golden Boot race with six goals in three games, placing him two goals ahead of Vinicius Junior, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland.

Following the match, Messi shared his pride on social media, stating:

"One more victory to complete the group stage. We're still together…"

Lionel Messi, via social media

Scaloni defended the decision to start Messi on the bench, noting that the player preferred to give his teammates playing time and focus on the upcoming rounds rather than dwelling on statistics.

"He could have played 90 minutes today and, without taking anything away from the opposition, he might have added to that legend. But he preferred to give his team-mates some playing time and focus on what lies ahead,"

Lionel Scaloni, Argentina Manager, via Sky Sports

Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami expressed pride in his team's debut performance but noted that small errors proved costly when facing world champions.

Argentina now prepares for the Round of 32, where they will face Cape Verde on July 7. Scaloni described Cape Verde as a team that will make things difficult for the holders, though the draw suggests a potentially favorable path toward the semi-finals with potential future matchups against Australia or Egypt in the last 16.