Doha, December 13 (QNA) - Lionel Messi continued his fine form at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and had a record night during his side's 3-0 victory over Croatia.

Messi equaled the record number of matches played by one player across World Cup matches, matching Lothar Matthaus's tally of 25.

He is set to break that record when he appears in the final on Sunday. He passed Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina's all-time goal scorer at the World Cup after his goal tonight, bringing his total tally to 11. He equaled Maradona's tally of eight assists in the World Cup. He is also the only player to have assists in five different World Cup editions. He can break Maradona's record in the final against France.

Messi became tonight also the oldest player to score five goals in one competition. He also made his 18th appearance as Argentina captain in the World Cup, the most of any mens player all-time. He became one of six men to score in the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals at a single World Cup since Round of 16 was reintroduced in 1986.

Messi has scored or assisted in 13 World Cup matches, joining Brazil's Ronaldo as the highest of all-time. He is also the highest winner of the man of the match award in the history of the World Cup, doing so nine times. Messi also surpassed Maradona in terms of the highest number of scoring chances (finished or created) with 68. His six assists at the knockout stages of the World Cup ties him with Pele. He is the only player to provide an assist in five World Cup edition. (QNA)