Argentinian star Lionel Messi has achieved remarkable statistics in his national team's match against Australia (2-1). Messi scored the opening goal for his country in the 35th minute of the first half at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan. This was Messi's third goal in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, marking his first ever goal in knockout stages, bringing his total to 9 goals in World Cup history, surpassing Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo by one goal. Ronaldo has never scored in knockout rounds but has the opportunity to do so when he faces Switzerland next Tuesday in the round of 16.
However, 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo has managed to score in five different editions of the World Cup, unlike his Argentinian rival who has scored in 4 editions. Ronaldo netted a goal in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, one during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, another in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, 3 goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and one goal so far in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with that being a penalty against Ghana in the group stage.
Messi is participating in his fifth World Cup and has scored in 4 of them. He scored a goal in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, did not score in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, netted 4 goals in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, scored one goal in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and now has 3 goals in Qatar 2022, including one against Saudi Arabia from a penalty, one against Mexico, and the latest against Australia.
Messi matched Ronaldo's record of goals scored in major tournaments, with both having 22 goals, according to statistics from "Squawka". Messi netted 13 goals in Copa America competitions and 9 in World Cups, while Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in European Championship matches and 8 in World Cups.
Additionally, Messi broke the record of his compatriots, the late legend Diego Armando Maradona, the 1986 World Cup champion, and Guillermo Stábile, who both scored 8 goals in World Cup history. He narrowed the gap to just one goal behind fellow Argentinian Gabriel Batistuta, the all-time top scorer for Argentina in World Cup history, who has 10 goals.
