Lionel Messi has set a new FIFA World Cup record by scoring in seven consecutive matches, breaking a 56-year-old mark previously held by France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho. The Argentina captain achieved the feat after coming off the bench to score a free-kick in a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Dallas Stadium on June 28, 2026.
Messi's Record-Breaking Goal
Messi was named among the substitutes by head coach Lionel Scaloni, who made nine changes to the side that defeated Austria 2-0 earlier in the week. Introduced just after the hour mark, the Inter Miami forward curled home a trademark free-kick to seal Argentina's win. According to OptaJack, Messi has now scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches, a feat never previously achieved in the competition. The previous record of six consecutive matches was jointly held by Just Fontaine (1958) and Jairzinho (1970).
Match Summary
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superbly struck free-kick, and Lautaro Martínez doubled Argentina's advantage from the penalty spot in the 31st minute. Jordan pulled one back before Messi's late strike ensured a 3-1 victory. The defending champions finished top of Group J with a perfect nine points, scoring eight goals and conceding just once.
Argentina's World Cup Campaign
Messi began the tournament with a hat-trick in Argentina's opening 3-0 victory over Algeria, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goals record. He then surpassed the German legend by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Austria to become the tournament's outright leading goalscorer. His goal against Jordan was his sixth of the tournament and his 19th in World Cup history, extending his record as the all-time top scorer in the competition.
Next Opponent: Cape Verde
Argentina will face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on Friday, July 3. Cape Verde have already made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage in their first appearance at the tournament, according to Al Jazeera. Should Argentina advance, they will meet the winner of Australia versus Egypt in the Round of 16, with a potential quarter-final against Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana.
Historical Context
Messi's record of scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches surpasses the previous best of six set by France's Just Fontaine during the 1958 tournament and Brazil's Jairzinho on the way to winning the 1970 World Cup. The achievement underscores Messi's enduring quality and consistency on the global stage, further cementing his legacy as one of football's greatest players.
