World Cup 2026: Messi breaks a new record with the Argentinian national team

22.06.26 FT World Cup

Argentina

2

:

Austria

0

The numbers keep piling up for Lionel Messi, and with each strike, another piece of World Cup history tumbles. This time, however, it is not just about the goals themselves—it is about their timing and sequence, which have placed the Argentine magician alongside a name from the tournament's distant past.

According to the stat wizards at OptaJoe, Messi has now scored each of Argentina's opening five goals in this World Cup campaign—a feat that had only been achieved once before. The man who previously held that mark was Oleg Salenko, the Dynamo Kyiv and Russia striker who turned heads at the 1994 edition with a similar run of early strikes. Three decades later, Messi has matched that obscure but impressive record, adding yet another layer to his already towering legacy.

On the pitch, the story was simpler: Argentina dispatched Austria by a 2–0 margin, a result that felt almost routine given the weight of their ambition. That victory lifted them to six points, cemented their grip on first place in Group J, and punched their ticket to the knockout rounds ahead of schedule. The debates over refereeing decisions may linger, but in the record books, Messi's name continues to shine—unchallenged and undeniable.

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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