Messi scored one goal in his first FIFA World Cup, the 2006 tournament in Germany. He scored Argentina's sixth goal in a 6–0 group-stage victory over Serbia and Montenegro on 16 June 2006.
Messi entered the match as a substitute and made an immediate impact, setting up Hernán Crespo before scoring himself in the 88th minute. The goal came after a combination with Carlos Tévez and made Messi, aged 18 years and 357 days, Argentina's youngest World Cup scorer at the time.
Argentina had already built a commanding lead through Maxi Rodríguez, Esteban Cambiasso, Crespo and Tévez before Messi completed the rout. The performance was remembered not only for the scoreline but also for Argentina's flowing passing, including the celebrated move that led to Cambiasso's goal.
Messi played three matches at that World Cup and Argentina were eliminated by Germany in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout. He did not score in that knockout match, so his total for the tournament remained one.