Argentina 3-0 Algeria: Messi Equals World Cup Goals Record with Stunning Hat-Trick

Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Inspires Argentina to Comfortable Victory Over Algeria

Defending champions Argentina were inspired by a special Lionel Messi hat-trick as they comfortably overcame Algeria in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick moved him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading goalscorer in the competition’s history with 16 goals. With group matches against Austria and Jordan still to come, Messi will surely be expected to become the outright leading scorer in World Cup history. Kylian Mbappé also added two more goals to his tally against Senegal to move onto 15, as the two standout players from the 2022 World Cup appear set to renew their rivalry once again this year.

Argentina produced a composed and clinical performance against Algeria, although they were made to work hard for their victory at times. Messi’s opening goal arrived after an earlier effort had been ruled out during a frantic start, with Algeria also seeing a strike disallowed just three minutes later following another tight offside decision in a whirlwind opening in Kansas.

Messi’s opener was a superb curling effort that bent beyond the reach of Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane.

Once Messi had put Argentina ahead, the reigning champions took control of the contest and largely nullified Algeria’s attacking threat.

Messi remained the central talking point throughout the match and was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card after a high challenge on Algeria defender Aïssa Mandi during the first half.

Argentina’s second goal arrived after Messi capitalised on a mistake from Zidane following an Alexis Mac Allister effort from the edge of the area.

He then completed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute by dispatching a trademark left-footed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to seal a memorable treble.

The victory gives Argentina huge confidence to begin the tournament and puts them in a commanding position to top Group J.

After finally winning the World Cup in 2022, many believed that tournament would be Messi’s last. However, now competing in a record sixth World Cup, he emphatically answered those doubts. Just a week shy of his 39th birthday, the message to his critics was clear: Messi has still got it.

For Algeria, this was always going to be a difficult assignment against the reigning world champions. Although they showed flashes of attacking quality, they may need to rely more heavily on veteran Riyad Mahrez, who began the match on the bench.

Ultimately, Algeria were punished by Messi’s ruthless efficiency in front of goal, but their campaign will be judged by what they do in their remaining Group J fixtures against Jordan and Austria. They face Jordan next Tuesday in a must-win encounter and will still believe they have enough quality to secure second place in the group and progress to the Round of 32.