Messi falls short of Okocha’s enduring record

Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass in Argentina's dramatic 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England, inspiring his team's comeback. The performance saw him achieve a significant milestone, becoming the first player since 1966 to record at least nine successful dribbles and two assists in a single World Cup knockout match.

Messi's nine successful dribbles against England were the highest by any player in the 2026 tournament. He also registered 94 touches, created four clear chances, and had seven touches inside England's penalty area. This display highlights his continued influence on the global stage.

However, Messi's impressive dribbling tally remains short of a long-standing record held by former Super Eagles captain Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha. In Nigeria's 1994 World Cup round of 16 clash against Italy, Okocha, then 21, completed 15 of his 16 dribble attempts over 120 minutes. This record still stands as the highest in World Cup history.

Okocha's dribbling prowess is further cemented by his rate of 12 dribbles per 90 minutes in the 1998 World Cup, a rate recently matched by Spain's Lamine Yamal. Messi's current run includes scoring or assisting in 11 consecutive World Cup matches. He leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists as Argentina prepares to defend their title against Spain in the final.