World Cup 2026: Magic Messi Hat-Trick ties all-time goal record as Argentina Blazes past Algeria 3-0

By Temi Kings

KANSAS CITY, MO. It had to be him. On a night dripping with historical poetry at a raucous Kansas City Stadium, Lionel Messi kicked off Argentina’s World Cup title defence by transforming an opening group match into a personal masterclass.

The defending champions cruised to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener, but the scoreline plays second fiddle to the history written on the pitch. At 38 years and 357 days old, Messi became the oldest player in tournament history to score a World Cup hat-trick, dragging himself level with German icon Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in men’s World Cup history with 16 goals.

The historic milestones: twenty years in the making

There is a sense of destiny attached to everything Messi touches, but the metrics surrounding Tuesday night’s performance were staggering. The match marked Messi’s record-setting sixth World Cup appearance and his 200th senior international cap for La Albiceleste.

Poignantly, the performance came exactly 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut as a teenage substitute against Serbia and Montenegro at Germany 2006. Facing him in the Algerian goal was Luca Zidane—the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane—adding another layer of multi-generational lore to a legendary night.

First half: A breathless opening and the famed left foot

The match began at a breakneck pace with both teams having goals disallowed inside a chaotic opening ten minutes. First, Messi thought he had broken the ice in the 8th minute from close range, only to see the assistant’s flag raised. Moments later, Algeria’s Farès Chaïbi hit the back of the net and triggered wild celebrations in the Algerian end, but a swift VAR check caught him drifting into an offside position.

Once the early dust settled, Argentina’s maestro took matters into his own hands. In the 17th minute, Rodrigo De Paul injected urgency into the midfield, picking out Messi roughly 30 yards from goal. The captain expertly rolled his marker, drove toward the edge of the area, and unleashed a majestic, curling signature strike from his left foot that flew into the top corner beyond a flying Luca Zidane.

Goal Alert (17′): Argentina 1, Algeria 0 — Lionel Messi (Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul)

Algeria proved to be a highly disciplined unit for the remainder of the half, keeping Lionel Scaloni’s men at arm’s length. The Fennec Foxes threatened on the counter when Anis Hadj Moussa carved inside, but a vital Argentine deflection took the power out of his strike, leaving Emiliano Martínez with a routine save. Argentina nearly doubled their cushion on the brink of halftime, but Alexis Mac Allister’s looping header from a Messi free-kick sailed just over the crossbar.

Second half: pouncing on rebounds and sealing the record

Argentina re-emerged with renewed vigour, immediately testing the Algerian backline. Lautaro Martínez forced a crucial stop out of Zidane in the 54th minute before Scaloni looked to his bench, introducing fresh attacking elements in Julián Álvarez and Nico González.

The pressure inevitably told in the 60th minute. Alexis Mac Allister found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a stinging, low drive. Zidane managed to block the initial effort but could not hold onto the rebound. Quickest to react, Messi ghosted into the six-yard box to tap home with his right foot.

Algeria coach Aliou Cissé attempted a massive tactical shift in the 63rd minute, executing a triple substitution that brought veteran talisman Riyad Mahrez into the fray. Yet, any hopes of an Algerian fightback were decisively snuffed out in the 76th minute.

Receiving a clever setup from substitute Nico González on the edge of the box, Messi took one shifting touch and drilled an absolute laser low into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick.

 Argentina 3 - 0 Algeria (Messi 76')

In the 79th minute, Scaloni gave the Kansas City crowd the moment they wanted, subbing Messi off for young prospect Nico Paz. The entire stadium stood as one, serenading the icon with deafening chants as he handed over the armband and walked off a history-maker.

Match Timeline & Key events

What they asid

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni:

“I no longer have the words to describe Leo. For 20 years, he has had us completely used to seeing magical things like this, and he continues to inspire everyone who watches the game. The team is incredibly happy, and now our focus pivots completely to locking up the group against Austria.”

Argentina captain Lionel Messi:

“To be able to enjoy a beautiful moment like this with my family, with my teammates, and the people who have always been there across this long journey is something truly special. I am just happy we got the win to start our defense.”

Group J Outlook

With Matchday 1 officially in the books, Argentina sits comfortably at the summit of Group J with a pristine +3 goal difference. They will fly out to Dallas next to face a dangerous Austria side on Monday, June 22, with an opportunity to book an early ticket to the knockout phase. Algeria will look to quickly reset and rescue their tournament hopes when they meet Jordan in a must-win encounter.