That strike reportedly extends a remarkable run for Messi at the tournament. He has now scored six goals across his last five World Cup appearances, a pace that underlines how central he remains to Argentina's attack on the global stage.
The goal also appears to place Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in an exclusive scoring club. Both stars are said to be among the only players with a goal across five different World Cups, a milestone that fans will likely frame as another chapter in their long running rivalry.
Video of the finish has circulated widely online, with the strike drawing attention as one of the standout moments from Tuesday's action.





