Messi scores a hat-trick for hosts Argentina to beat Algeria at the World Cup | World Cup 2026 news

Argentina opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory inspired by Lionel Messi against Algeria in 2026.

Lionel Messi marked his record sixth World Cup appearance with his first hat-trick in a FIFA tournament – he also became the top scorer in a World Cup – as Argentina. defeated Algeria 3-0 to open the defense of their world crown.

The 38-year-old veteran thought he had opened the scoring in the eighth minute at Kansas City on Tuesday when he raced home from close range, but the offside flag was raised.

The dream start of his form, which will match Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, he did not deny for a long time.

A trademark, magical run was linked to a drive to the edge of the box from a prominent left foot. Strength was high for Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner with France, Zinedine.

Messi doubled his tally on the hour with a simple header from a drive from Alexis Mac Allister.

A moment of magic even for a decorated player like Messi came in the 76th minute when he drilled a low shot past the keeper just outside the box.

The strike took Messi level with former Germany international Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals.

His substitution came just three minutes into the standings – although the former maestro was disappointed to be sent off, and perhaps relieved that Argentina would be the third defending World Cup side.

Algeria – who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 – gave little away, but they too were denied an early goal when Fares Chaibi’s ninth-minute effort was ruled out for offside.

Messi saw no opening game to be had in this edition, Argentina lost their Qatar 2022 opener to Saudi Arabia before defeating France in the final.

The legendary Argentine number 10, who spent time at Spanish club Barcelona before moving to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, is plying his trade in the US Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.

It was during the last game of the season in Miami that he suffered a minor hip injury that delayed his lead up to the World Cup. But the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who honors the best player in the world, had no trouble preparing for last week’s game against Iceland, scoring from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.

Messi’s appearance against Algeria was the 200th of his international career, which began in 2005 when he was 18. The only players with more are Portugal’s Ronaldo, who will make his 229th appearance on Wednesday, and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa, who made his 202nd appearance.

The Argentine’s hat-trick also lifted two of football’s biggest players – France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland – who had big games on Tuesday.

Mbappe scored twice France won 3-1 In Senegal earlier in the day and is fourth in the list of World Cup games with 14, while Haaland scored twice against Norway in their match. 4-1 win in Iraq.

Jordan and Austria opened their account in the group on Tuesday in San Francisco. Argentina will face Austria again on Monday.