Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City. The defending champions controlled their Group J opener and took all three points through another record-setting performance from their captain. Messi scored in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes to settle the match. The result gave Argentina a strong start in a group that also includes Austria and Jordan.
Messi leads Argentina attack
Argentina started with control and moved the ball quickly through midfield. Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández helped keep possession while Algeria spent long periods defending. The breakthrough came after 17 minutes when Messi finished from a De Paul assist. The goal gave Argentina control and forced Algeria to chase the match earlier than planned.
Argentina continued to create chances before half-time but could not add a second goal. Algeria defended deep and tried to counter, but Emiliano Martínez had little to do.
Second-half goals finish match
Argentina doubled their lead on the hour mark after Mac Allister helped create pressure in the Algeria box. Messi reacted quickly and scored from close range to make it 2-0. The third goal came in the 76th minute after Nico González set up Messi for another composed finish. That completed Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick and ended Algeria’s hopes of a comeback.
Argentina then managed the final stages without taking major risks. The win gave Lionel Scaloni’s side a clean sheet and a strong start after entering the tournament as defending champion.
Messi equals World Cup scoring record
Messi’s three goals moved him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals. That made him joint top scorer in men’s World Cup history. The hat-trick also came in Messi’s 200th Argentina appearance. At 38, he became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. The milestone came 20 years after Messi scored his first World Cup goal in 2006. His latest performance gave him another major record in his career.
Group J opens with Argentina on top
Argentina’s win puts them at the top of Group J after the first round of matches. Austria also won their opener, beating Jordan 3-1. Argentina will next face Austria on June 22. Algeria will play Jordan on the same day, with both teams needing points after opening defeats.
