Lionel Messi continued his remarkable World Cup form on Friday with another decisive performance. He scored as Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a tightly contested knockout match. The Argentina captain struck in the 29th minute. That goal marked his 20th World Cup goal. He now leads France’s Kylian Mbappé by two goals in the all time World Cup scoring chart. Messi also extended his record run to eight consecutive World Cup matches with at least one goal. The streak highlights his consistency across multiple tournaments and high pressure knockout games. That control from Lionel Messi is simply out of this world. Then again… so is Messi himself. He’s definitely not from this planet.👽🐐 https://t.co/7hOrU3F4MR— Football Xtra (@FootballXtra365) July 3, 2026 He came close earlier in the match. In the 15th minute, he dragged a left footed shot just wide. Moments later, his free kick was saved comfortably by the goalkeeper. Cape Verde stayed organised in defence during the early stages. Argentina struggled to break them down in the final third. Martinez assist opens the door as Argentina respond The breakthrough came after a precise pass from Lisandro Martínez. He split the defence with a perfectly timed ball into the box. Messi reacted instantly. He stayed onside and controlled the pass. He then lifted a calm finish over the goalkeeper to give Argentina the lead. The goal was his 124th international strike. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo remains ahead in the global scoring list with 146 goals. The only player in @FIFAWorldCup history to score in eight successive games… Lionel Messi 👏 pic.twitter.com/yRJCOF0BNT— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 3, 2026 Messi acknowledged the assist immediately. He pointed toward Martínez as Argentina took control of the match. Cape Verde refused to collapse. They responded with intensity and pushed Argentina into a tense second half. The match became more open and physical as both sides created chances. Momentum swung repeatedly before full time. Neither side managed to secure a winner in regulation time. Extra time drama sends Argentina through The match went into extra time after Cape Verde equalised late in normal play. Argentina eventually found the winning goal to seal a 3-2 victory. The result secured Argentina’s place in the Round of 16. It also extended Messi’s extraordinary World Cup legacy. He now leads the tournament Golden Boot race with seven goals. Kylian Mbappé follows closely with six. Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane remain in contention with five each. Messi has scored 12 goals across his last eight World Cup appearances. That run underlines his long term impact at the highest level. He finished runner up in the 2022 Golden Boot race with seven goals. He also shared third place in 2014, showing his consistent presence among top scorers. Lionel Messi 🌟#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Na1X8ADKgn— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026 Argentina continue their campaign with confidence. However, they needed extra time to overcome a determined Cape Verde side that tested them throughout the match. Messi’s record now stands as one of the most dominant scoring runs in World Cup history. His performance once again shaped Argentina’s progress on football’s biggest stage.
England Hit by Shock Theft Scare Days Before World Cup Opener
England’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after thieves targeted equipment destined for the team’s training base in Kansas City. Reports said thieves took footballs, boots and other training gear after breaking into vehicles transporting equipment to Swope Soccer Village. The incident occurred shortly before Thomas Tuchel’s squad arrived in Kansas City. The Football Association confirmed the incident and said police were investigating the matter. Kansas City police also confirmed they had opened an investigation. “We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening. The investigation is ongoing,” the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department told the Daily Mail. The BBC reported that police arrested two suspects in connection with the theft. However, authorities have not released further details. England Keeps Focus on World Cup Opener Despite the disruption, England plans to continue preparations as scheduled. The Three Lions will hold their first training session at Swope Soccer Village on Saturday evening after travelling from their pre-tournament base in Florida. England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday. Tuchel’s side will then face Ghana and Panama in Group L. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager took charge after Gareth Southgate stepped down following Euro 2024. England arrived in North America carrying the hopes of ending a 60-year wait for a World Cup title. The squad combines experienced internationals with several emerging stars. National teams usually transport specialised equipment before major tournaments. Those shipments often include customised boots, training technology, medical supplies and recovery equipment. Security Under Spotlight at Expanded Tournament The 2026 World Cup marks the biggest edition in FIFA history. The United States, Canada and Mexico are jointly hosting the tournament, which features 48 teams. Organisers have invested heavily in transport, logistics and security across the three host nations. While police have not linked the incident to wider security concerns, the theft has drawn attention because it involved one of the tournament favourites. England officials have not indicated whether the missing equipment will affect training plans. For now, Tuchel and his players remain focused on football as they prepare for their opening match. Meanwhile, investigators continue searching for additional evidence and possible links to other suspects.
