Argentina captain Lionel Messi added another milestone to his legendary career during the FIFA World Cup 2026, surpassing the late Diego Maradona for the most assists in World Cup history. Messi recorded his ninth assist in the tournament's history during Argentina's hard-fought 3-2 extra-time victory over Cabo Verde in Miami, breaking Maradona's previous record of eight assists, according to 433.
Messi's Record-Breaking Performance
Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead and extending his remarkable streak of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches. This goal also brought his total World Cup tally to 20 goals, further cementing his status among the tournament's all-time greats. According to Opta Paolo, Messi became the first footballer to score seven goals in two separate FIFA World Cup editions, having netted seven times during Argentina's triumphant 2022 campaign in Qatar.
Entering the knockout fixture with six goals, Messi was level with France captain Kylian Mbappe at the top of the scoring charts. His seventh goal moved him ahead in the Golden Boot race, adding another achievement to his unmatched World Cup career.
Match Highlights: Cabo Verde's Resilient Debut
Cabo Verde, making their first World Cup knockout-stage appearance, started brightly and tested Argentina early through Ryan Mendes. However, Argentina gradually took control, and Messi's moment of quality arrived in the 29th minute when he expertly controlled Lisandro Martinez's diagonal pass before firing into the roof of the net.
Argentina looked comfortable before halftime, but Cabo Verde returned with renewed intensity after the break. Just before the hour mark, Mendes released Deroy Duarte, who finished confidently from a tight angle to score his country's first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal, leveling the contest at 1-1.
Despite creating several chances, Argentina was repeatedly denied by veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose outstanding saves from Messi kept the scores level and forced the match into extra time.
Extra-Time Drama and Decisive Moments
Argentina restored their advantage almost immediately after extra time began, as Lisandro Martinez converted from close range following a corner. Yet Cabo Verde refused to back down, with Sidny Lopes Cabral producing a stunning curling effort from a tight angle to make it 2-2.
The decisive moment came in the second half of extra time when Messi's corner was met by Cristian Romero, whose powerful header took a slight deflection off Diney Borges before finding the back of the net, giving Argentina a 3-2 lead. Cabo Verde nearly forced penalties late on, but Emiliano Martinez produced a vital save to deny Lopes Cabral's powerful free-kick, securing Argentina's progress.
What's Next for Argentina
Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16, while Cabo Verde exit the tournament with widespread admiration after an impressive World Cup debut that saw them push the reigning champions to extra time.
