Lionel Messi World Cup goal history: Argentina legend scores 14th on exact anniversary of first
Lionel Messi World Cup goal history: Argentina legend scores 14th on exact anniversary of first originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Despite a legendary club career in Europe, he had to wait until 2022 to capture the one major trophy that had eluded him: the FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
After lifting the trophy in Qatar with a dramatic victory over France, Messi began Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign in Kansas City. Shortly after becoming the first player to start matches at six consecutive World Cups, he scored his 14th career World Cup goal—exactly 20 years to the day after netting his first in 2006.
Although he failed to score at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Messi has now found the back of the net in five different World Cups since making his tournament debut.
Here’s a look back at Messi’s World Cup goals, from No. 1 through No. 14.
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Lionel Messi World Cup goal history
| Year | Opponent |
| 2026 | Algeria (group stage) |
| 2022 | France (Final) |
| 2022 | France (Final) |
| 2022 | Croatia (Semifinals) |
| 2022 | Netherlands (Quarterfinals) |
| 2022 | Australia (Round of 16) |
| 2022 | Mexico (Group stage) |
| 2022 | Saudi Arabia (Group stage) |
| 2018 | Nigeria (Group stage) |
| 2014 | Nigeria (Group stage) |
| 2014 | Nigeria (Group stage) |
| 2014 | Iran (Group stage) |
| 2014 | Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group stage) |
| 2006 | Serbia and Montenegro (Group stage) |
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