Messi becomes highest goal scorer for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup after penalty strike vs Croatia

In Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semifinal between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Lionel Messi scored his fifth goal of the competition.

In the 34th minute, the PSG attacker converted from the post to score his third penalty goal of the competition.

With the goal, he surpassed Gabriel Batistuta, with whom he had tied after scoring from the penalty spot against the Netherlands in the semifinals, to bring his total in World Cup goals scored to 11 in 25 games.

The 35-year-old, who was already Argentina’s all-time leading scorer, added a 96th goal to his total, his first in a World Cup quarterfinal.

Messi scored his first goal in Argentina’s opening World Cup game against Saudi Arabia in the 10th minute of a penalty shootout.

Since then, he has scored two stunning goals, one from beyond the box against Mexico and the other against Australia, both of which gave Argentina the lead.

More will come.