#251Career AssistLegendary
“At 1–1 in a World Cup knockout thriller against France, Messi’s quick-thinking touch and stabbed pass through a crowded box create the deflected opening for Mercado to restore Argentina’s lead, marking career assist number 251.”
Knockout Stage
Year2018
World Cup#4
2017/18'#20
2018#765
2018 World Cup · R162018-06-30 · 17:00:00
France4-3
Argentina2A
In a high-pressure World Cup knockout tie, Messi drops deep as Argentina’s creative hub, threading two assists—including the flick for Agüero’s late goal—to keep his side alive against a rampant France.
Minute48'
Score
1-1→1-2
xG
—
Impact
—
Scorer: Gabriel Mercado
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At 2–0 up in a World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Messi’s twisting run on the right pulls Gvardiol apart and carves out the byline angle for Álvarez to tap in, sealing the final spot and logging career assist 349.
Knockout Stage
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At 2–0 in a Champions League semi-final against Bayern, Messi threads a stoppage-time pass that releases Neymar to seal a 3–0 first-leg cushion, capping his masterclass with career assist number 183.
Knockout StageLast Minute
vs
Bayern Munich3–0
May 6Assist#213
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At 3–0 in a Copa América semi-final, Messi threads a late pass that slices open the tiring U.S. back line, springing Higuaín to seal a 4–0 rout and cap one of his most dominant tournament displays, adding career assist No. 213 and his 27th of the season.
Knockout Stage
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Jun 21Assist#315
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In a tense Copa América semi-final deadlocked at 0–0, Messi threads the early pass that slices Colombia open and springs Lautaro Martínez free, breaking the stalemate and pushing Argentina toward the final as he logs career assist number 315.
Knockout Stage
@
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Jul 6Assist Sequence
47:30
47:32
47:35
47:35
ReceiptCarryDribbleShotGoalTeammateUnder PressureWith ballPass
ReceiptCarryDribbleShotPass
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