Messi Hat-Trick! Argentina Beat Algeria 3-0, Equal Klose’s World Cup Goal Record
Lionel Messi produced a night to remember as Argentina opened their 2026 World Cup title defense with a commanding 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J at Kansas City Stadium. The 38-year-old Messi scored his first ever World Cup hat-trick, taking his all-time World Cup tally to 16 goals and drawing level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose for the most goals in World Cup history. It was the perfect start for the reigning champions and another reminder of his enduring greatness.
Messi Lights Up Kansas City
Argentina controlled the tempo from the opening whistle. The first goal arrived when Messi latched onto a through ball and finished emphatically from distance. The second came after Alexis Mac Allister’s long-range strike caused chaos and Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane spilled the ball, leaving Messi to tap into an empty net. After the break, the captain completed his treble, firing home from the edge of the box following a pass from Nicolas Gonzalez. A fourth Messi goal was ruled out for offside, but the message was clear: the reigning champions still revolve around their talisman in front of a crowd of more than 76,000 who rose to applaud him.
Algeria’s Young Side Falls Short
Algeria fielded a pacy attacking line-up, with Luca Zidane — son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane — between the posts. Yet they could not convert any of their promising moments into goals against Argentina’s composed midfield and ruthless finishing. The spilled second goal proved the turning point, widening the gap and draining the African side’s confidence. It was a harsh introduction to the World Cup stage for a talented but inexperienced squad that will learn plenty from the defeat.
Messi Cements His Legacy
This hat-trick was not just Messi’s first at a World Cup; it underlined that, even at 38, he remains at the summit of the global game. Equalling Klose’s record of 16 goals means he could claim the milestone outright before the tournament ends. For a player competing in his sixth World Cup, trophies are no longer the point — his hunger for goals and victory is what still sets him apart.
Title Defense and Group J Outlook
The result puts Argentina in pole position in Group J as Lionel Scaloni’s men chase the first back-to-back World Cup triumph in 64 years. Notably, Julian Alvarez started on the bench, underlining Argentina’s attacking depth. Algeria must now regroup ahead of clashes with Austria and Jordan. Follow every update on our live scores page, and visit our match analysis section for deeper tactical breakdowns.
