2026 World Cup: Lionel Messi Falls Short Against Switzerland—Record Streak Ends

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Thanks to an excellent Swiss team, which was solid on defense and did a great job of pressuring him every time he touched the ball, Lionel Messi didn’t find the back of the net. The three goals with which the Albiceleste defeated Switzerland in extra time did not include a goal by La Pulga.

Consequently, after nine consecutive matches, Lionel Messi’s incredible streak has come to an end. However, there remains the satisfaction of a record that is unlikely to be broken.

Although he didn’t find the back of the net, the former Barcelona and PSG player, among others, was still instrumental. It was his assist—from a corner kick—that allowed Mac Allister to score the goal that put Argentina up 1-0.

Specifically, this was Lionel Messi’s tenth assist at the World Cup—two more than the legendary Diego Armando Maradona, from whom he has taken the record. There’s always the question of the tournament’s top scorer. Right now, it’s a head-to-head race with Kylian Mbappé (eight goals each), with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham trailing with six goals each. It’s worth noting that the England-Argentina match is scheduled for the semifinals.