Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Argentina kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic style as Lionel Messi delivered a breathtaking hat-trick to secure a 3–0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City, sending multiple World Cup records tumbling on a historic night.
The reigning champions, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, showed their intent to defend the title with authority as Messi produced one of the greatest performances in World Cup history.
Messi hat-trick powers Argentina past Algeria
Messi scored in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes to seal a dominant win over Algeria, with goals showcasing every dimension of his attacking brilliance.
- 17th minute: A curling long-range strike that bent past the goalkeeper
- 60th minute: A close-range finish after a defensive error
- 76th minute: A powerful, precise strike into the bottom corner
The performance marked Messi’s first-ever World Cup hat-trick, achieved on his 200th international appearance for Argentina.
World Cup records broken by Lionel Messi
Messi’s performance wasn’t just decisive it was historic. The Argentine captain set and matched multiple records during the match:
- First player ever to appear in six FIFA World Cups
- Now tied for all-time World Cup goals record (16 goals) with Miroslav Klose
- Surpassed Pelé for most World Cup goal contributions (24)
- Oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick (38 years old)
The night firmly reinforced Messi’s status as one of the greatest players in football history.
Argentina’s strongest World Cup start as defending champions
The victory was also significant for Argentina as a team. It marked the first time they have ever won their opening match while entering the tournament as defending champions.
Previous title-defence campaigns saw early setbacks in 1982 and 1990, making this result a symbolic shift in momentum. Argentina’s Group J campaign now continues with matches against Austria and Jordan as they aim to become only the third nation in history to successfully defend the World Cup.
Match analysis: Messi dominates from start to finish
The match was open and chaotic early on, with both sides having goals disallowed in a frantic opening spell.
Algeria threatened intermittently, but Argentina’s control grew steadily as Messi dictated tempo, linking effectively with midfielders including Rodrigo De Paul and exploiting defensive gaps. A controversial moment in the first half saw Messi escape punishment for a heavy challenge, but his influence never dropped.
By the hour mark, Algeria’s resistance had faded under sustained pressure, and Messi capitalized ruthlessly.
A performance that reignites GOAT debate
At nearly 39 years old, Messi’s display reignited global debate over football’s greatest player, especially as he continues to extend records in international football. The hat-trick also added another chapter to his long-running rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, further strengthening his World Cup legacy.
What’s next for Argentina and Algeria
Argentina continue their World Cup campaign against Austria in Dallas on June 22, while Algeria face Jordan in their next Group J fixture. Momentum is firmly with the champions, and all eyes will remain on Messi as Argentina chase another historic title.
Final takeaway
Argentina’s 3–0 win over Algeria was more than a strong start it was a statement. With Messi rewriting World Cup history once again, the defending champions look poised for another deep tournament run.
