Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, extends streak to 8 games and takes Golden Boot lead

Lionel Messi's scoring prowess continues to define his World Cup journey, as he netted his 20th career goal in the tournament, extending his personal record streak to eight consecutive games. This milestone goal, the opener in a dramatic match, also propelled him into the lead for the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer.

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It hurts a little but I'm good.

Argentina faced a stern challenge from Cape Verde, an unexpected underdog, ultimately securing a narrow 3-2 victory in extra time. The match was a testament to the competitive nature of the tournament, with Argentina, the defending champions, needing every ounce of effort to overcome their opponents.

Messi, despite a noticeable bump on his head resulting from a collision during the game, reassured observers that he was well. He acknowledged the team's good performance while also pointing out areas that require improvement. His goal, a skillfully executed chip over the goalkeeper, was his seventh of the current World Cup and his 124th international goal, placing him second only to Cristiano Ronaldo on the all-time list.

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We did good things, and we have to correct the bad things.

Teammate Rodrigo De Paul expressed his admiration for Messi, highlighting the importance of their friendship and the privilege of sharing these moments. The game saw Messi create the first significant chance, and after being fouled, he took a free kick that was saved. However, his persistence paid off when he timed his run perfectly to receive a pass and score, a moment celebrated intensely by his teammates.

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For me, it represents a lot to be friends with him. For me, friendship is one of the most important things that we all have and I consider myself fortunate to be there, to share these moments with him.