Missouri, US, June 17: Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as defending champions Argentina opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria.
The Argentina captain made history by becoming the joint highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history with 16 goals, equalling the record held by Germany’s Miroslav Klose. At 38, Messi also became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match.
The achievement came exactly 20 years after Messi scored his first World Cup goal during Argentina’s 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro on June 16, 2006. The match also marked his 200th appearance for Argentina.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute after receiving a quick free-kick from Rodrigo De Paul. Advancing through midfield, he struck from distance, beating goalkeeper Luca Zidane despite getting a hand to the ball.
Argentina doubled their lead before halftime. Nico Gonzalez delivered a cross into the box, and after a long-range effort from Alexis Mac Allister was parried by Zidane, Messi reacted first to convert the rebound.
The hat-trick was completed in the 76th minute. Messi initiated the move from midfield before combining with Gonzalez on the left flank. Receiving the return pass near the edge of the penalty area, he placed a low shot into the bottom corner.
The victory gave Argentina a winning start to their World Cup title defence, with Messi leading the scoring and moving level with Klose on the tournament’s all-time goalscoring list.