Messi Scores hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3:0 in 2026 World Cup Match
Defending champions Argentina opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J, delivering a performance that underlined their status as one of the tournament favorites. Played in Kansas City, the match was dominated by Lionel Messi, whose remarkable hat-trick propelled La Albiceleste to a perfect start and etched another chapter into his already legendary career.
Coming into the tournament, Argentina faced enormous expectations as they sought to become one of the few nations to successfully defend a World Cup title. Algeria, meanwhile, arrived with hopes of causing an upset after qualifying for the finals for the first time since 2014. While the North Africans showed moments of determination, they ultimately found themselves overwhelmed by Argentina’s quality, experience, and clinical finishing.
The match’s defining figure was once again Lionel Messi. Making his 200th international appearance and becoming the first male footballer to play in six FIFA World Cups, the Argentine captain delivered a masterclass performance. Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a superb strike that immediately settled any nerves among the Argentine supporters. His movement, vision, and composure consistently troubled the Algerian defense throughout the evening.
Argentina controlled possession for long stretches, with midfield leaders Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister dictating the tempo. Their ability to circulate the ball quickly and exploit spaces between the Algerian lines allowed the reigning champions to maintain pressure and create numerous scoring opportunities. Algeria struggled to establish any sustained rhythm, often finding themselves pinned back by Argentina’s relentless attacking play.
Messi doubled Argentina’s advantage shortly after the hour mark. The goal showcased his instinctive awareness inside the penalty area as he reacted quickest to capitalize on a rebound after an initial save from Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane. Despite several impressive stops, Zidane could do little to prevent Argentina’s relentless offensive wave.
The Argentine legend completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, sending the crowd into celebration and securing all three points for his side. Remarkably, it was Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick, a surprising statistic given his extraordinary international career. The feat also saw him draw level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, further cementing his place among football’s greatest players.
While much of the attention rightly focused on Messi, Argentina’s overall team performance was equally impressive. Defensively, they remained organized and disciplined, limiting Algeria to only a handful of dangerous opportunities. The back line provided stability, while the midfield consistently won second balls and prevented Algeria from building momentum. Young midfielder Nico Paz also made his World Cup debut late in the match, highlighting the depth and future potential within the Argentine squad.
For Algeria, the defeat was disappointing but not necessarily decisive. Coach Vladimir Petkovic’s side still has opportunities to recover in Group J, with upcoming matches against Jordan and Austria likely to determine their qualification hopes. Experienced players such as Riyad Mahrez and Aïssa Mandi will need to inspire a stronger response if the Desert Foxes are to progress beyond the group stage.
Reaction from football fans across social media reflected widespread admiration for Messi’s performance. Many supporters described the 38-year-old as “timeless,” expressing amazement at his ability to continue performing at the highest level on football’s biggest stage.
For Argentina, this victory represents more than just three points. It sends a powerful message to the rest of the tournament that the reigning champions remain a formidable force. With Messi still producing moments of brilliance and a talented squad supporting him, Argentina’s quest to retain the World Cup has begun in the best possible fashion. Algeria, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they seek to keep their World Cup dreams alive in what remains a challenging Group J campaign.
