local
Lionel Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, extends streak to 8 games and takes Golden Boot lead
By Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 3, 2026
· 3 min read
Lionel Messi scored again, making Friday’s contest against Cape Verde the record-extending eighth consecutive World Cup match in which Argentina’s captain delivered at least one goal.Messi’s goal in the 29th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two ahea...
Key takeaway Messi’s goal in the 29th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé on the all-time list.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
Piney Point Village residents with ties to Inter Miami, Messi's club team, are likely following the World Cup closely, eager to see their star player in action. As Messi continues to break records and lead Argentina in the tournament, his success may draw more attention to the sport in the Houston area. With Inter Miami having a presence in the region, Messi's achievements could help grow interest in soccer among local fans, potentially leading to increased support for the sport in Piney Point Village and surrounding communities. As the World Cup progresses, residents may be watching to see if Messi can lead Argentina to another championship title, and how his performance will impact his reputation as one of the greatest players of all time. The city's soccer enthusiasts will be keeping a close eye on the tournament, cheering on Messi and his teammates as they compete against top teams from around the world.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi scored again, making Friday’s contest against Cape Verde the record-extending eighth consecutive World Cup match in which Argentina’s captain delivered at least one goal.Messi’s goal in the 29th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two ahea...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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