Lionel Messi Is Scoring In Seven Straight World Cup Games and Nobody In Soccer Is Ready For It

Alright, 12s, if you haven't been glued to the World Cup, what are you even doing with your life?! The group stage just wrapped up, and trust me, it was absolutely WILD! Our guy Lionel Messi, the GOAT himself, just made history AGAIN. He came off the bench for Argentina against Jordan and basically solidified their 100 percent winning record with a 3-1 victory. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez also chipped in with goals, showing Argentina's attacking depth. But get this: Messi became the *first player ever* to score in seven straight World Cup games, pushing his ridiculous goals tally in the finals to 19. If this is his final dance, he's making sure we never forget it. Unbelievable stuff!

Group Stage Drama You Won't Believe

The drama didn't stop with Messi, no way. We saw Austria pull off a legendary comeback against Algeria, scoring a 96th-minute equalizer to snatch a 3-3 draw and qualify for the knockout stage. That epic goal sent Iran packing, who thought they had a ticket out as one of the best third-placed finishers. Talk about heartbreak in the dying minutes! Elsewhere, England secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama. Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, then assisted Harry Kane soon after. But honestly, even with the positive result, Thomas Tuchel's squad looked kinda drab, with Bellingham's brilliant performance really having to save an otherwise uninspiring display. Canada also pulled off a clutch 1-0 win against South Africa, with S. Eustaquio netting the winner in the 90+2nd minute. South Afric

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

a actually dominated possession with 58% to Canada's 42%, but Canada showed up where it counted, boasting 1.3 xG and 12 shots compared to South Africa's measly 0.2 xG and 6 shots. Eustaquio was rated 8.3, clearly the top player in that match.

The Good, The Bad, and The Debatable

Not every team sparkled, though. Portugal, led by a "listless" CR7, played out a truly forgettable 0-0 draw with Colombia in a sweltering Miami Stadium. That was Colombia's first ever 0-0 World Cup match in their 100-year history! Portugal honestly deserved plenty of blame, wasting several clear chances. It just felt like they couldn't get it together. On the flip side, our very own USMNT had some promising moments in the group stage, with Richards and Freeman showing breakthroughs that could be big for the future. And hey, for our neighbors to the south, Mexico's got a strong youth movement brewing, with Gil Mora, Obed Vargas, and Mateo Chávez leading the charge. Sebastián Abreu even compared Gil Mora to Luka Modrić! One thing that’s definitely sparking debate and changing the World Cup as we know it is the new rule mandating hydration breaks in every single game. Players, coaches, fans, everyone has mixed reactions to these stoppages. So, the group stage is done, and the knockout stage is officially upon us! Argentina looks like a serious force, but the field is wide open for some more incredible upsets and drama. Can Messi keep this ridiculous streak going and lead his team all the way to glory? Will England find their spark, or will Portugal crash out early? We're about to find out, and I'm buzzing to see what happens next. Get ready for some wild knockout football, Seattle!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.