Lionel Messi writes new World Cup records, equals Diego Maradona’s mark in the semi-final
During their semi-final triumph against Croatia in Qatar, Lionel Messi became the first player in history to score and provide an assist in four different World Cup matches.
Even before his first touch, the 35-year-old had tied a long-standing World Cup record by joining Lothar Matthaus on 25 tournament appearances, a milestone he is now set to surpass in Sunday’s championship game barring injury.
Messi subsequently opened the scoring for La Albiceleste with an incredible penalty kick into the top corner, a goal that made him Argentina’s all-time World Cup goalscoring leader, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta’s total of 11 goals.
More records were set by the Paris Saint-Germain player, who turned Josko Gvardiol inside out before passing the ball to Julian Alvarez, who scored his second goal of the evening.
Messi became the first player since records began in 1966 to record both a goal and an assist in four different World Cup games, three of which have now occurred at this winter’s competition in Qatar.
The assist also allowed the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to equal Diego Maradona’s World Cup record of eight assists in the tournament.
In addition, Messi has now contributed to 19 World Cup goals, scoring 11 and assisting on 8 others, tying the record jointly held by Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo, and Gerd Muller since 1966.
Messi’s man-of-the-match performance led Argentina to their second World Cup final, where they will meet either France or Morocco on Sunday.
Lionel Messi writes new World Cup records, equals Diego Maradona’s mark in the semi-final
