What happened: Lionel Messi has continued his record-rewriting run at the World Cup, drawing widespread acclaim across the football world. His latest goal-scoring exploits pushed his career World Cup total into rare territory and prompted a wave of reaction from players, analysts and reporters alike.

Why it matters: Messi's standing at the tournament reframes the all-time scoring conversation and cements his place atop one of the sport's most prestigious lists. For Argentina, his form is the central engine of their campaign, raising the ceiling on how far this run can go.

What to watch: Attention turns to Argentina's next fixture and whether Messi can extend the record further as the tournament progresses.