Messi Hat-Trick Ties World Cup Record in Argentina's 3-0 Win Over Algeria
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J opener in Kansas. The 38-year-old tied Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match, and made his 200th Argentina appearance. He also became the first footballer to play in six different World Cups.
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Lionel Messi Celebrates Argentina's 2026 World Cup Final Qualification Amid Emotional Victory
Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward now playing for PSG, expressed overjoyed emotions after Argentina's stunning 2-1 victory in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, considered one of the greatest players of all time, felt vindicated against criticism of the defending champions. The article compiles multiple stories from the 2026 World Cup, including Messi breaking Miroslav Klose's goal record, a new locker room chant for the Falklands and Diego Maradona, and a tense moment where Messi rebuked a referee. It also covers Argentina's dramatic last-gasp qualification against Egypt, Messi's tears, and his poor penalty record. Additionally, Cape Verde players queued for photos with Messi after their match. Messi, a UNICEF ambassador, uses his fame to serve vulnerable children worldwide.
Home Football - actualitésMessi Ties Personal World Cup Dribbling Record at Age 39 Against England
In the 2026 World Cup semifinal, Lionel Messi provided two assists as Argentina came from behind to defeat England 2-1. According to Opta statistics, Messi completed nine successful dribbles in the match, tying his personal World Cup single-game record. He previously achieved nine dribbles against Iceland in 2018 (age 30) and Germany in 2010 (age 23). The victory sends Argentina to the World Cup final, where they will face Spain. The article highlights Messi's continued elite performance at age 39, matching a record he set earlier in his career.
虎扑 - 足球Lionel Messi closes in on Diego Maradona's World Cup shot involvement record
Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, is approaching Diego Maradona's long-held World Cup record for most shot involvements in a single tournament. According to data from Opta Joe, Messi has recorded 54 shot involvements (33 shots and 21 chances created) in the 2026 World Cup, the highest since Maradona's 59 in 1986. Messi is also tied with Kylian Mbappe for the Golden Boot race with eight goals each. Argentina faces England in the semi-finals, marking Messi's first-ever meeting with the Three Lions. Messi has already become the all-time World Cup top scorer and is now targeting Maradona's record.
Yardbarker: SoccerLionel Messi's Kind Gesture Towards Miroslav Klose
Lionel Messi showed a kind gesture towards former German striker Miroslav Klose after equaling his World Cup goal record. Klose, who previously held the record with 16 goals, revealed that he received a call from Messi at the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. The conversation was arranged by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, a former teammate of Klose at Lazio Rome. Klose described the call as very moving. The two men, who had faced each other on the pitch before, took time to talk outside the sporting context. Klose also disclosed that Messi promised to send him a signed jersey. Since then, Messi has surpassed Klose's record, scoring 21 goals in the World Cup.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertLionel Messi Called Miroslav Klose After Breaking His World Cup Goal Record
Miroslav Klose, former Germany striker and all-time World Cup top scorer, revealed that Lionel Messi called him after breaking his record of 16 goals during the 2026 World Cup. The call was arranged by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, a former teammate of Klose at Lazio. Klose described the conversation as 'very moving' and noted it was the first time they had spoken at length outside of matches. Messi scored eight goals in the 2026 edition, bringing his total to 21 across six World Cups. He equaled Klose's record with a hat-trick against Algeria and broke it with a brace against Austria. Klose, who had previously broken Ronaldo's record in 2014, expressed admiration for Messi and said he would send him a signed jersey. The article also notes that Kylian Mbappé (19 goals) and Harry Kane (14 goals) are approaching the record.
Home Football - actualitésMessi Sets Record for Most Goals in a Single World Cup by Player Aged 30 or Older
In the World Cup Round of 16 match, Argentina came from behind to defeat Egypt 3-2, with Lionel Messi contributing one goal and one assist. According to OPTA statistics, Messi has now scored 8 goals in this World Cup, setting a new record for the most goals scored by a player aged 30 or older in a single World Cup tournament. The previous record holder was also Messi, who scored 7 goals in the 2022 World Cup. This achievement highlights Messi's continued exceptional performance at an advanced age in international football.
虎扑 - 足球39-year-old Messi sets record as oldest player to score and assist in a World Cup knockout match
In the World Cup Round of 16 match on July 8, 39-year-old Lionel Messi scored one goal and provided one assist, leading Argentina to a 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt. This performance set a new record for the oldest player to both score and assist in a single World Cup knockout match, surpassing his own previous record set four years ago in Argentina's match against Croatia, when he was 35 years and 172 days old. The news was reported by Hupu Soccer, citing source X, and highlights Messi's enduring performance at an advanced age in international football.
虎扑 - 足球Messi Calls Klose, Promises Signed Jersey After Breaking World Cup Goal Record
German World Cup champion Miroslav Klose revealed that he received a moving phone call from Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after Messi surpassed Klose's record for most World Cup goals. Klose, now a coach at 1. FC Nürnberg, disclosed the conversation on his club's talk show. He explained that Argentine national coach Lionel Scaloni, a former teammate of Klose at Lazio Rome, arranged the call. During the conversation, Messi promised to send Klose a signed jersey. Klose praised Messi as a 'brutal phenomenon' and the best footballer of all time. Messi now has 21 World Cup goals, overtaking Klose's 12-year-old record of 16 goals. The two faced each other in the 2014 World Cup final, which Germany won. Klose had previously congratulated Messi via a German newspaper, stating he was happy the record was broken by such a player.
BILD - SportMessi Scores 47% of All World Cup Goals by Players Aged 38 and Over
In the World Cup round of 16 match on July 8, Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2, with Lionel Messi scoring a goal. According to data from statistics websites, Messi has now scored 8 goals in World Cup history at the age of 39. Among all goals scored by players aged 38 and above in World Cup history (totaling 17 goals), Messi accounts for 47% of them. The report originates from Hupu soccer news, citing a source on X. The article highlights Messi's exceptional longevity and goal-scoring ability in the World Cup, particularly among older players.
虎扑 - 足球Lionel Messi breaks 56-year World Cup record a day after Cristiano Ronaldo crashes out of tournament
Lionel Messi, at age 39, continues to defy expectations during the 2026 World Cup. In Argentina's 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in Atlanta, Messi scored a goal and provided an assist, becoming the first player since Germany's Gerd Müller in 1970 to score eight goals in a team's opening five matches of a single World Cup. This record-breaking performance came just one day after long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo was eliminated from the tournament. Messi now has 21 career World Cup goals across six tournaments, pulling ahead of Kylian Mbappe (19). Argentina will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.
Yardbarker: SoccerMessi's World Cup Goal Scoring Surges in Recent Matches
A Hupu soccer report highlights Lionel Messi's dramatic improvement in World Cup goal scoring as he prepares for his 31st career match in the tournament, facing Egypt. According to Score90 data, Messi scored only 6 goals in his first 19 World Cup appearances, but has netted 14 goals in his last 11 games, demonstrating a significant increase in efficiency and lethality as his career progresses. The article emphasizes the contrast between his early and recent performances, suggesting he has become more decisive in later stages of his World Cup career.
虎扑 - 足球World Cup Historical Appearances: Messi Leads with 30, Ronaldo Second with 26, Matthäus Third
On July 4, during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Cape Verde, Lionel Messi started and made his 30th World Cup appearance, becoming the first player in history to reach that milestone and extending his own record. The previous day, Portugal advanced past Croatia in the Round of 16, with Cristiano Ronaldo making his 26th World Cup appearance, placing him second all-time. The updated top four in World Cup historical appearances are: Messi (30), Ronaldo (26), German legend Lothar Matthäus (25), and German striker Miroslav Klose (24). Notably, both Messi and Ronaldo have participated in six consecutive World Cups from 2006 to 2026, and their records may still be broken in future tournaments.
虎扑 - 足球Lionel Messi becomes first player to play 30 matches in World Cup history
Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Argentine forward, made history by becoming the first player to appear in 30 World Cup matches. He achieved this milestone by starting in the round of 16 match against Cape Verde. Messi, who was already the leader in World Cup appearances, now holds the record ahead of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (26 matches), Germany's Lothar Matthäus (25), and others. He also has the opportunity to become the first player to score 20 goals in a World Cup. The article also notes that French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has the most World Cup appearances for France with 20, followed by Antoine Griezmann (19), while Kylian Mbappé could surpass Lloris during the current tournament.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuLionel Messi breaks another World Cup record
Lionel Messi is set to break a new World Cup record by playing his 30th match in the tournament during Argentina's Round of 32 game against Cape Verde on July 3, 2026. This surpasses the previous record for most World Cup appearances, with Cristiano Ronaldo second at 26 matches and Kylian Mbappe at 18. Messi already holds records as top scorer, best assist provider, and most capped player in World Cup history. The article highlights this milestone as another achievement for the Argentine star in his storied career.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertLionel Messi Returns to Miami for World Cup Round of 16 as Argentina Faces Cape Verde
Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain and football legend, will return to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as Argentina faces Cape Verde in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, has recently become the all-time top scorer in World Cup history during a match against Austria, where he scored a record brace. Despite being 39 years old, he continues to perform at an elite level, including a hat-trick against Algeria. The article also notes a failed 26-meter-tall statue of Messi unveiled in Cutral Co, Argentina. Messi is a UNICEF ambassador and has won seven Ballon d'Or awards, cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers ever. The match will take place on Friday night into Saturday.
Home Football - actualitésMessi Tops World Cup Scoring Despite Lowest Running Distance, Thanks to Scaloni's Tactics
According to a Marca report via Hupu, a 2026 World Cup statistic shows Lionel Messi ranking last (618th) in distance covered among 618 players who played at least 90 minutes in the group stage, averaging only 8.1 km per game. However, the 39-year-old Argentine star leads the tournament in goals with six. Coach Lionel Scaloni has implemented a 'bodyguard' tactic, where midfielders like De Paul handle defensive duties, allowing Messi to conserve energy for attacking bursts. Messi's efficiency includes a hat-trick against Algeria, two goals against Austria, and a decisive goal off the bench against Jordan. He also became the all-time World Cup top scorer with 19 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose. The approach has sparked debate, but Argentina advanced to the knockout stage with a perfect group record.
虎扑 - 足球Messi tasked with ending 24-year World Cup curse as Argentine media raise expectations
The article reports that Lionel Messi's outstanding performance at the 2026 World Cup, including scoring in seven consecutive matches and extending his record to 19 World Cup goals, has raised expectations in Argentina. The nation's largest sports publication, Diario Ole, has tempered these hopes by noting a curse: no team with a perfect group stage record has won the World Cup since Brazil in 2002. Argentina has won all three group matches, and the media has tasked Messi with breaking this 24-year curse by delivering his best performances in the knockout rounds, starting against Cape Verde in the last-32. The article highlights the psychological danger of peaking too early and the need for Messi to replicate his 2022 knockout-stage heroics.
Mirror - FootballLionel Messi breaks seven all-time records at 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi has shattered seven all-time World Cup records during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At 39 years old, the reigning Golden Ball holder from 2022 leads the 2026 tournament in the Golden Boot race. According to Squawka, Messi set records for most goals in World Cup history, most goals from outside the box, most chances created, first to score in seven consecutive World Cup games, and oldest player to score a hat-trick (aged 39 against Algeria). He also became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Argentina, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend the World Cup, faces Cabo Verde in the Round of 32.
Yardbarker: SoccerArgentina coach Scaloni highlights Lionel Messi’s sacrifice during final World Cup group stage match
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni praised Lionel Messi for choosing to rest during Argentina's final Group J match against Jordan, a dead rubber after Argentina had already secured top spot. Instead of playing 90 minutes to extend his lead in the Golden Boot race—where he has six goals—Messi sat on the bench for 60 minutes to allow younger teammates playing time. He entered in the 60th minute and scored a free-kick in the 80th minute, helping Argentina to a 3-1 win. Scaloni noted that Messi prioritized his teammates over personal records. The article also notes that while Messi is the all-time World Cup top scorer with 19 goals, his record is likely to be broken by Kylian Mbappe (16 goals, age 25) in future tournaments.
Yardbarker: Soccer2026 World Cup: Lionel Messi Sets New Goals Record, Teaches Lesson to New Generation
Lionel Messi scored a direct free kick goal in his 20-minute appearance off the bench during Argentina's 1-3 victory over Jordan in the 2026 World Cup. At 39 years old, Messi now has six goals in three tournament matches and a record 19 total World Cup goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose and Kylian Mbappé (both on 16). He also set a new record by scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Coach Lionel Scaloni noted Messi prioritized giving teammates playing time over padding his stats. The article speculates Messi may approach Just Fontaine's 13-goal single-edition record and become the first player to exceed 20 career World Cup goals in what is likely his sixth and final World Cup.
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