World Cup 2026 | Argentina 3 - 0 Algeria

Lionel Messi makes history again

He became the World Cup's joint all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina opened their title defence with an emphatic victory over Algeria.

Author  | Jamie P

Stadium  | Kansas City Stadium

Making his 200th appearance for his country, Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career.

In doing so, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took his tally of goals in World Cup finals to 16, drawing level with Germany's all-time leading marksman, Miroslav Klose.

The three-time world champions were forced to work hard for the win

It was also the first time Argentina had won their opening match at a World Cup as defending champions, having lost their first games in 1982 and 1990.

Much of that was down to the brilliance of Messi, who curled home a superb opener in the 17th minute.

The 38-year-old collected the ball from his Inter Miami team-mate Rodrigo De Paul before bending a precise finish beyond Luca Zidane, son of French great Zinedine Zidane, on his 27th World Cup appearance.

The goal came 12 minutes after an earlier effort from Messi had been ruled out during a breathless opening, with Algeria also seeing a strike disallowed three minutes later as the contest burst into life from the outset.

Yet on a night when he became the first player to feature at six World Cups, Messi was fortunate to avoid punishment for a reckless challenge on Algeria defender Aissa Mandi midway through the first half.

Argentina doubled their lead shortly after the hour

Messi capitalised on an error from Zidane from close range, before completing his first World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute with a powerful finish from the edge of the area after dispossessing Nicolas Gonzalez.

Having made a winning start in Group J, Argentina will next face Austria and Jordan.