Messi equals Mbappe as World Cup top scorer... and has scored in round of 16, quarter-finals and semis

Lionel Messicontinues his quest for the perfect World Cup with Argentina as the Albiceleste captain added his fifth goal at Qatar 2022 by masterfully converting a penalty against Croatia after Livakovic brought down Julian Alvarez.

He is, along with Kylian Mbappe, the tournament's top scorer with five goals to match his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate.

In addition, the number '10' has managed to score in the round of 16 (against Australia), in the quarterfinals (penalty against the Netherlands) and also in the semifinals.

Previously, he had scored against Saudi Arabia (from the penalty spot) and against Mexico. The only game he did not score in was against Poland, against whom he missed a penalty.

Aiming for the trophy

Messi is in a position to win his first World Cup with Argentina and to win the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot at the tournament.

Such a feat would be a hat-trick that would be historic and would put the finishing touch to his career as a footballer.

With his goal against Croatia, Lionel Messi is also the Argentine player with the most goals in the history of the World Cup after overtaking Gabriel Batistuta to reach a total of 11 goals in five World Cups.

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