KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On a night that will be etched in football folklore, Lionel Messi delivered a performance for the ages, scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their Group J opener.
At 38 years old, in his record-extending sixth World Cup appearance and 200th international cap, the Argentine captain silenced any lingering doubts about his age or fitness.In a 20-minute masterclass of finishing, he scored in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes to move level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in men’s World Cup history with 16 goals.
“I like playing soccer. It’s been my passion since I was little,” Messi said after the match. “When I’m in good shape, I give it my all.”
The night, however, did not lack drama or controversy. A heavy first-half challenge by Messi on Algerian defender Aissa Mandi sparked debate, with some fans and pundits suggesting he could have been sent off.Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic lamented his team’s costly errors but praised the unplayable nature of the opposition. “We’re not talking about any old footballer,” he said. “Unfortunately we also afford him the opportunity with the first and second goal, and we actually made it easier for him. But Messi, with his clear thinking in crucial stages of the game, is able to do things that much more easily.”
Algerian defender Aissa Mandi offered perhaps the most succinct summary of the challenge his side faced: “What makes the difference is they have a player who doesn’t forgive. Almost every chance ends up in the back of the net. He’s a player, maybe the best player of all time, so that’s his efficiency, and it’s formidable.”
With this emphatic opening statement, Argentina has signaled its intent to retain the crown, becoming the first defending champion since Brazil in 1962 to win its opening match. The victory also marked a significant shift for Argentina, as it was the team’s first opening-match victory in a World Cup as defending champions, having previously lost their first games in 1982 and 1990.
Messi’s hat-trick was the 61st of his career and his 11th while playing for the national team.For Algeria, the match served as a harsh reminder of the gulf in class between a great player and a good team.
Sources & References:
AFP / RNZ – “Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 as Lionel Messi scores his first ever World Cup hat-trick”, 17 June 2026.
GBC Ghana Online – “Lionel Messi ties World Cup goals record with hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria”, 17 June 2026.
Newsday – “Messi has his first World Cup hat trick as defending champion Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in opener”, 17 June 2026.
Sporting News – “Lionel Messi scores first career World Cup hat trick, ties all-time tournament goal record in win over Algeria”, 17 June 2026.
The Athletic / New York Times – “A magical Lionel Messi hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria — but should he have been sent off?”, 17 June 2026.
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