​Lionel Messi is cementing his status as the greatest talent in FIFA World Cup history, but one of his enduring records was finally halted by Switzerland. Argentina edged past their opponents 3-1 after extra time to reach the semi-finals, yet the World Cup Golden Boot frontrunner did not find the back of the net on this occasion. He did, however, contribute an assist, extending his lead in the all-time assists category, even as one of his most remarkable World Cup streaks came to a close with no goal.
Messi’s remarkable run stretched all the way back to Argentina’s Round of 16 clash with Australia at the 2022 World Cup. He had found the net in every single World Cup match for his country across ten consecutive games, a record that stands as the longest scoring streak in World Cup history. He first surpassed the previous tie held by Just Fontaine of France and Jairzinho of Brazil, both of whom had achieved six straight games with a goal, by scoring in match No. 7 of the sequence. The streak featured 14 goals overall, beginning with the opener against Australia and continuing with a goal in each of the 2022 quarterfinal and semifinal victories over the Netherlands and Croatia, followed by a brace in the Final against France.
As Messi began the 2026 campaign, he opened with a hat-trick against Algeria, followed by two more goals against Austria and another against Jordan in the group stage. He added a single tally in the Round of 32 and Round of 16, facing Cape Verde and Egypt, which brought his run to a total of 10 consecutive World Cup matches with a goal. That streak has now come to an end, but his influence and production in the tournament continue to impress on multiple fronts.
Messi’s presence remains decisive beyond scoring, with his playmaking still shaping Argentina’s fortunes. In the quarterfinals, his assist to Alexis Mac Allister helped to open the scoring, underscoring his continuing impact even when the goals are shared among teammates. The semi-final showdown against England will pose a more demanding challenge, as Argentina look to advance further and Messi seeks to extend his legacy once again.