Argentina began the defense of its FIFA World Cup title in spectacular fashion after defeating Algeria 3-0, with Lionel Messi delivering a memorable hat-trick that reminded football fans why he remains one of the sport's greatest players.
Playing in Kansas City, the reigning world champions controlled the match from start to finish, while Messi produced another historic performance on football's biggest stage. The 38-year-old captain scored all three goals, leading Argentina to a comfortable opening victory and matching one of the World Cup's most prestigious individual records.
Messi thought he had opened the scoring early in the match, but the goal was ruled out for offside. He responded minutes later with a trademark run before firing a powerful left-footed strike from outside the penalty area to give Argentina the lead.
The second goal arrived just after the hour mark when Messi reacted quickest to a rebound inside the box, calmly finishing to double Argentina's advantage. His finest moment came in the 76th minute, as he drilled a low shot into the corner from outside the area to complete his first-ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick.
The three-goal performance also carried historical significance. Messi drew level with German legend Miroslav Klose on 16 career FIFA World Cup goals, tying the tournament's all-time scoring record. The achievement adds another milestone to an already extraordinary international career, which now spans more than two decades.
Argentina's attacking display was supported by a disciplined defensive performance that limited Algeria's opportunities throughout the match. Algeria briefly believed they had equalized early in the first half, but their goal was also disallowed for offside, allowing Argentina to maintain control before extending its lead.
The victory gives Argentina an ideal start as it pursues a rare successful World Cup title defense. Confidence will be high heading into the team's next group-stage match, where another positive result could secure an early place in the knockout rounds.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, several of football's biggest stars also made headlines. France defeated Senegal 3-1 behind a brace from Kylian Mbappé, while Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway earned a convincing 4-1 victory over Iraq. Austria also opened its campaign with a 3-1 win against Jordan.
With football's biggest names already producing standout performances, the opening week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered an exciting start, and Messi's historic night has once again placed him at the center of the global football conversation.
