Defending champion Argentina opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria on June 17, with Lionel Messi turning another milestone night into a vintage performance.
“I feel good; we were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game,” Messi said after the match.
In the 17th minute, Messi found space near the edge of the box and curled a superb strike into the top corner to give La Albiceleste a 1-0 lead.
After the break, Messi struck again. In the 59th minute, Alexis Mac Allister’s effort was saved by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, but Messi reacted quickly and tapped in the rebound for his second goal of the match. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, finishing from distance after a pass from Nico González.
Messi Ties Klose, Adds Another Chapter to World Cup Legacy
The hat-trick lifted Messi to 16 career World Cup goals, moving him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time men’s World Cup scoring record. It was also Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick and made him the oldest player to score three goals in a single match at the tournament.
The night carried even more meaning because it was Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina and his 27th World Cup match. By stepping onto the field, he also became the first men’s player to appear in six different World Cups.
For Argentina, the victory was an ideal start to its title defense. Led once again by Messi, La Albiceleste is chasing a rare repeat, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
Argentina will next face Austria on June 23 at 1:00 AM, Philippine time.
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