Messi extends World Cup record as he starts for Argentina against Cape Verde
Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time to reach the World Cup last 16, with Lionel Messi scoring his 20th tournament goal. The defending champions struggled against the debutants before securing the win via an own goal.
Why it matters
Lionel Messi's performance in the 2026 World Cup is a focal point for global sports media and fan engagement.
Reuters, Miami PHOTO: REUTERS Argentina were given a huge scare before ending Cape Verde's fairytale run as Lionel Messi netted his 20th World Cup goal in a 3-2 win after extra-time to reach the last 16.
Objective reporting of match events and player statistics.
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