Lionel Messi becomes the first player to score in EVERY World Cup round

MESSI MAGIC: Argentina’s superstar captain becomes the first player to score in EVERY World Cup round after breaking the deadlock against France, after overtaking Germany legend Lothar Matthaus as the tournament’s all-time record appearance maker

By Ryan Walker For Mailonline

Lionel Messi has broken another footballing record as his goal in Sunday’s final against France saw him complete the feat of scoring in every World Cup stage.

The 35-year-old attacker scored in the 23rd minute after Angel di Maria went down in the France box, with Messi making no mistake from the spot as he sent goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way.

Messi started his journey to the sensational achievement with a goal in the group stage against Mexico. He then bagged a third tournament strike in Argentina’s round of 16 win over Australia.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi has become the first player to score in every World Cup round

Messi scored from the spot in Sunday’s World Cup final against France to put his nation ahead

Messi (10) sends France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the penalty spot

The PSG star continued to shine with a goal against the Netherlands in their quarter-final tie, before adding to his tally in the South American nation’s 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia.

Messi then completed his remarkable journey against France on Sunday as he opened the scoring in the World Cup final. 

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner also shattered another record on Sunday as he became the World Cup’s all-time appearance maker having started the final against France in Qatar.

Messi has continued to shatter football records after scoring in Sunday’s final showdown

The previous appearance record was held by Germany World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus

Argentina’s superstar captain Messi, leapfrogged Germany World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus, with Sunday’s showdown in the Middle East marking his 26th tournament appearance.

Matthaus captained Germany to glory in Italy in 1990 having fallen short in two previous finals. Messi will be aiming to put his 2014 final disappointment behind him as he makes his final World Cup tournament outing for the nation on Sunday.

Messi scored the final’s opening goal, taking his tournament tally to six strikes as he sent France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the penalty spot.

He then continued to impress with a piece of genius as his tip-of-the-toe pass round the corner put Argentina through on goal as Di Maria doubled their lead against the reigning world champions. 

The global star’s 26th tournament appearance came at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium as the South American nation aim to lift a first World Cup title since 1986.

Lionel Messi has become the World Cup’s all-time appearance holder in Sunday’s final

Messi (middle) has made more World Cup appearances than any other player on 26 outings

Messi has already admitted that this will be his final World Cup appearance, with the veteran attacker hoping to finish his international career on a high by lifting the Jules Rimet trophy.

Should he lift the World Cup then he will emulate the achievements of Argentina legend Diego Maradona who last guided the nation to global glory 36 years ago. 

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