23/06/2026 04:27 - Deportes
Lionel Messi wrote another golden page in his legendary career on Monday, June 22, 2026, becoming only the third player in history to score in six consecutive World Cup matches. This milestone appeared unattainable and was previously shared by just two legends: French striker Just Fontaine at Sweden 1958 and Brazilian winger Jairzinho at Mexico 1970.
Messi's goal against Austria in Dallas not only secured Argentina's 2-0 victory and their advancement to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, but it also placed him in an ultra-exclusive club where three completely different eras of world football converge.
The French forward established what seemed an eternal record: 13 goals in a single World Cup, all scored in six consecutive matches.
The Brazilian winger achieved something unique: scoring in every match on the road to the title with Brazil.
The Argentine captain's scoring streak began during the decisive stages of their Qatar triumph and extended to the present:
| Date | Match | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 03/12/2022 | Argentina 2-1 Australia (Round of 16) | Goal at 35' |
| 09/12/2022 | Argentina 2-2 Netherlands (Quarter-finals) | Penalty at 73' |
| 13/12/2022 | Argentina 3-0 Croatia (Semi-finals) | Penalty at 34' |
| 18/12/2022 | Argentina 3-3 France (Final) | Two goals (23' and 108') |
| 16/6/2026 | Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Opening match) | Hat-trick (17', 60', 76') |
| 22/6/2026 | Argentina 2-0 Austria (Matchday 2) | Brace |
The internationally recognized authority on world records officially confirmed the four milestones Lionel Messi achieved during the match against Austria:
⚽ All-time Top Scorer
18 goals in World Cup tournaments, surpassing Miroslav Klose (16). He also overtook Marta (17) as the all-time top scorer across any category.
🏆 Most Matches Played
28 matches across six editions: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and World Cup 2026.
👑 Most Victories
18 wins in tournament history, establishing himself as the player with the most victories in the competition.
⏱️ Most Minutes Played
2,489 minutes on the pitch, an absolute record of time on the field.
Messi could have added to his tally even more, but he missed a penalty in the 9th minute of the first half. However, the Argentine captain demonstrated his resilience and scored the 1-0 in the 38th minute following a brilliant collective play: he played wide to Facundo Medina, who laid it back; Thiago Almada let it run, and Leo finished placed into the corner past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
The second goal came in the final stretch, after a rebound, to seal the definitive 2-0 that qualified Argentina to the Round of 16 as Group J leaders.
Argentina accumulated 6 points in Group J with a goal difference of +5 (5 goals for, 0 against). Their next fixture is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 23:00 Argentine time against Jordan, also in Dallas.
On Wednesday, June 24, Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday during the world's most important tournament, and his continued excellence remains remarkable: all five of Argentina's goals in the 2026 World Cup bear his signature.
"We are witnessing history" - Guinness World Records
Sources: CNN en Español | Infobae | El Gráfico
Alfredo S. Quiroga
