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

Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup career goal in the 29th minute against Cape Verde on July 3, 2026, extending his record to scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches. The goal moved Messi to seven goals in this tournament, one ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. Messi has now scored 12 times in his last eight World Cup matches, putting him two goals clear of Mbappé on the all-time World Cup scoring list.