World Cup: Messi's Assist Sets New Record as Argentina Leads Switzerland 1-0 at Halftime

Lionel Messi has once again etched his name in the World Cup history books, setting a new record for the most appearances in knockout stage matches with 15 games. The Argentine superstar surpassed German legend Miroslav Klose, who previously held the record with 14 appearances.

Messi's milestone came during Argentina's quarter-final clash against a defensively strong Swiss side. The 39-year-old forward played a pivotal role in Argentina's early lead, delivering a precise corner kick in the 10th minute. The ball found Alexis Mac Allister, who headed it into the net, putting Argentina ahead 1-0.

This assist was not only Messi's 10th in his World Cup career but also his 8th in knockout stages. Remarkably, he has now assisted 10 different teammates in scoring World Cup goals. His involvement in Argentina's scoring this tournament is undeniable, with him having scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists, meaning he has been directly involved in every goal his team has scored.

Furthermore, Messi's impact in World Cup knockout matches extends to goal creation. He has now been involved in 15 goals (7 goals, 8 assists) in these high-stakes games, surpassing Kylian Mbappé's record of 14 goal contributions (12 goals, 2 assists). Messi's consistent performance and record-breaking achievements continue to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.