Messi’s Historic Hat-Trick Powers Argentina Past Algeria as World Cup Record Falls Within Reach

Kansas City, June 2026 : Lionel Messi marked his record-breaking sixth FIFA World Cup appearance in unforgettable fashion, scoring a stunning hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Score:
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
(Lionel Messi 24’, 63’, 76’)

The 38-year-old Argentine maestro once again proved why he is regarded as one of football’s greatest-ever players, delivering a masterclass that not only secured three points for his side but also placed him alongside Germany legend Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.

With his three goals in Kansas City, Messi took his World Cup tally to 16 goals, equalling Klose’s long-standing record. The performance came on yet another historic occasion for the Argentine captain, who became the first male footballer to appear in six editions of the FIFA World Cup.

Already Argentina’s all-time leading appearance-maker and goalscorer with 199 caps and 117 international goals, Messi continues to rewrite football history. He also holds the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 matches and remains the only player to have scored in every knockout stage of the tournament, including the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

Entering the match, Messi needed three goals to match Klose’s mark—and he achieved the feat within 76 minutes.

The game began at a frenetic pace, with both teams seeing goals ruled out for offside. Messi thought he had opened the scoring early on, while Algeria’s Fares Chaibi also had an effort disallowed.

However, it did not take long for Argentina’s captain to stamp his authority on the contest. In the 24th minute, Messi picked up possession around 30 yards from goal, glided past his marker with trademark ease, surged into space and curled a magnificent shot beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane to give Argentina the lead.

Despite falling behind, Algeria showed resilience and managed to contain the reigning world champions for much of the first half. Argentina’s only other notable opportunity came through Alexis Mac Allister, whose header sailed over the crossbar.

The Fennec Foxes also had moments of promise. Anis Hadj Moussa tested goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with a low strike, but a deflection took the sting out of the shot, allowing the Argentine goalkeeper to gather comfortably.

Argentina emerged with greater intent after the break, and Messi remained at the centre of every attacking move. He first fired a long-range effort narrowly over the bar before creating an opportunity for Lautaro Martinez with a perfectly weighted pass.

Messi’s second goal arrived in the 63rd minute. Mac Allister unleashed a powerful shot that goalkeeper Luca Zidane failed to hold cleanly. The loose ball fell kindly to Messi, who reacted quickest and calmly slotted home with his right foot.

The Argentine icon completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a finish reminiscent of his prime years. Receiving the ball at the edge of the area, Messi curled a trademark effort into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot and bringing the crowd to its feet.

The hat-trick also marked Messi’s 200th senior international appearance, adding yet another milestone to a career already filled with extraordinary achievements.

Messi’s international legacy is unmatched. He guided Argentina to Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024, lifted the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions in 2022, and crowned his career by leading his nation to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.

Now level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals, Messi will have the opportunity to become the tournament’s outright leading scorer when Argentina face Austria on June 22. Algeria, meanwhile, will seek to bounce back when they take on Jordan in their next Group J fixture.

For now, however, the night belonged entirely to Messi—a football genius whose story continues to defy time and redefine greatness.

Team Maverick