Argentina’s World Cup title defence began with a few nervous moments, but Lionel Messi quickly ensured the night would belong to him. The 38-year-old marked his historic 200th appearance for Argentina and his record-breaking sixth FIFA World Cup with a stunning hat-trick as the reigning champions beat Algeria 3-0 before 69,045 fans at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday.
Argentina vs Algeria, FIFA World Cup 2026: UPDATES
Messi’s hat-trick took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing him level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. Klose, however, reached the mark in fewer matches. It was also Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick and made him the oldest player to score a treble at the tournament, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous record. He also became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.
Argentina were far from comfortable in the opening stages. Messi thought he had given his side the lead in the fifth minute after finishing off a swift counterattack, only for Lautaro Martinez to be flagged offside in the build-up. Algeria nearly capitalised moments later and briefly thought they had taken the lead when Fars Chabi found the net, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The disallowed efforts highlighted the frantic nature of the opening exchanges. Algeria matched Argentina’s intensity and enjoyed long spells of possession, but neither side could find the breakthrough until Messi intervened.
In the 17th minute, Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, slipped a precise pass through the Algerian defence. With defenders closing in, Messi opened his body and curled an unstoppable effort into the top-right corner beyond Luca Zidane, the son of France great Zinedine Zidane.
The goal came exactly 20 years after Messi scored his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro on June 16, 2006. It also made him only the second men’s player after Cristiano Ronaldo to score in five different World Cups.
On a night packed with milestones, Messi also became the first footballer to play in six World Cups. Ronaldo is expected to join him later in the tournament. The Argentina captain is also now the first South American male footballer and only the third men’s player overall to reach 200 international appearances.
Messi was fortunate to escape punishment for a robust challenge on Algeria defender Aissa Mandi midway through the first half, but Argentina gradually gained greater control after the opening goal.
Algeria remained competitive and were not overawed by the occasion. They finished with a similar share of possession to the world champions but struggled to create meaningful openings. Their seven attempts on goal failed to produce a single shot on target as Emiliano Martinez enjoyed a relatively quiet evening.
Argentina doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Alexis Mac Allister tested Luca Zidane from distance and, when the goalkeeper could only parry the effort, Messi reacted quickest to convert the rebound from close range.
The hat-trick arrived in the 76th minute. Nicolas Gonzalez won possession high up the pitch and fed Messi on the edge of the area. The captain needed little invitation, driving a powerful left-footed finish into the net to complete the first World Cup treble of his career.
The three goals further strengthened Messi’s grip on football history. His World Cup goal contributions now stand at 24, comprising 16 goals and eight assists, taking him past Pel’s tally of 21 for the most in tournament history. He also extended his scoring streak at the World Cup to five consecutive matches, leaving him one short of the record jointly held by France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho.
Messi’s opener was also his fifth World Cup goal from outside the penalty area, drawing him level with Brazil’s Rivellino for the most such goals at the tournament over the last six decades. The strike was additionally the 911th goal contribution of his senior career for club and country.
For Argentina, the victory carried significance beyond the individual milestones. The three-time world champions became defending champions to win their opening World Cup match for the first time, having lost their first games in both 1982 and 1990 after previously lifting the trophy.
Having made a winning start to Group J, Argentina will now turn their attention to fixtures against Austria and Jordan.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
– Ends
