Lionel Messi beats Gabriel Batistuta’s record to become Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history. Messi’s 11th goal of the season.
Argentina’s captain struck a penalty kick in the 34th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead against Croatia in the first semi-final match at Lusail Stadium. With 11 goals, Messi has tied Hungarian legend Sandor Kocsis and German goal-machine Jurgen Klinsmann. Only Pele (12), Just Fontaine (13), Gerd Muller (14), Ronaldo (15) of Brazil, and Miroslav Klose (16) of Germany have scored more goals in the FIFA World Cup than Messi.
This was also his 25th World Cup match, the most for any Argentine player, second only to Lothar Matthaus. He has five goals in this tournament and is tied for first place with France’s Kylian Mbappe in the battle for the Golden Boot.
The Argentine star’s outstanding effort helped Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Croatia, advancing them to the final. The winner of the France-Morocco encounter will face the Messi-led squad. Argentina reached the FIFA World Cup final in 2014, but lost to Germany by a lone goal. This will be Messi’s second FIFA World Cup final. The famous Argentine player is aiming for his country’s third FIFA World Cup title.
