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Lionel Messi began Argentina’s defence of the FIFA World Cup title in unforgettable fashion, scoring a hat-trick as the reigning champions beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener at Kansas City Stadium. With this performance, Messi equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, on a night that will be remembered as one of the greatest individual displays in tournament history.
Here is a complete breakdown of how the match unfolded, the records Messi broke, and what it means for Argentina’s title defence.
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How the Match Unfolded
Argentina opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Rodrigo De Paul threaded a pinpoint through ball to find Messi in space. The 38-year-old shaped a stunning long-range strike from just outside the box that beat Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane.
Messi doubled his tally in the 60th minute, turning home a parried effort after Alexis Mac Allister’s thunderous strike following a deflected cross from Nicolas Gonzalez. He then completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a low, bending strike from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, sealing a 3-0 win and sending the largely pro-Argentina crowd into raptures.
Messi was substituted shortly after his third goal to a standing ovation, having delivered a complete masterclass on the sport’s biggest stage.
The Records Messi Equalled and Broke
This was not just another big performance from Messi. The hat-trick, his first ever at a World Cup, came loaded with historic significance.
- 16 World Cup goals: Messi’s treble took him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time record of most goals scored in World Cup history.
- 24 goal contributions: Including assists, Messi now has 24 World Cup goal contributions, surpassing the legendary Pele’s mark of 21 for the all-time record.
- 200th Argentina cap: The match marked Messi’s 200th appearance for the Argentine national team.
- Sixth World Cup: Messi became the first male player in history to appear in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.
- Oldest multi-goal scorer: At 38, Messi became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match, surpassing Roger Milla’s long-standing record.
- Twenty years to the day: Remarkably, the match fell exactly twenty years after Messi’s World Cup debut for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, a match in which he also scored.
Who Is Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose is a former German striker who scored 16 goals across four World Cups between 2002 and 2014, a record that had stood since Germany’s title-winning campaign in Brazil. Messi now shares that record, with two further matches remaining in Argentina’s group stage alone, leaving him with a genuine chance to stand alone at the top before the tournament is over.
What This Means for Argentina’s Title Defence
Argentina, who arrived in North America as defending champions following their 2022 triumph in Qatar, could not have asked for a better start to their campaign. A comfortable 3-0 win against an Algerian side that had been ranked 27th in the FIFA rankings heading into the tournament sends a strong statement to the rest of Group J and the wider competition.
Manager Lionel Scaloni will be encouraged not just by the result but by the manner of the performance, with Messi receiving strong support from Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez throughout the match.
For more on football legends and their journeys, check out our Entertainment and Celebrity section on WaykUp for related sports and lifestyle stories.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria was more than just three goals. It was a statement that, even at 38 and in his sixth World Cup, he remains capable of producing performances that will be remembered for decades. With Argentina off to a perfect start and Messi level with Klose’s all-time scoring record, the rest of the tournament promises to be must-watch viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What was the final score of Argentina vs Algeria?
Argentina won 3-0 against Algeria in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J opener at Kansas City Stadium, with all three goals scored by Lionel Messi.
Q2. How many World Cup goals does Messi have now?
After his hat-trick against Algeria, Messi has 16 World Cup goals, level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time record in men’s World Cup history.
Q3. Was this Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick?
Yes. The hat-trick against Algeria was the first of Messi’s career in a FIFA World Cup match, coming in his sixth World Cup appearance as a player.
Q4. What other records did Messi break in this match?
Besides equalling Klose’s goal record, Messi recorded his 200th cap for Argentina, became the first player to appear in six World Cups, surpassed Pele’s record of 21 World Cup goal contributions with 24, and became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.
Q5. Who assisted Messi’s goals against Algeria?
Rodrigo De Paul set up Messi’s first goal with a through ball. His second goal followed a deflected cross from Nicolas Gonzalez and a parried Alexis Mac Allister strike. His third was a solo effort from the edge of the box.
Q6. Can Messi break the all-time World Cup scoring record outright?
With Argentina still having further group stage matches and potentially a deep knockout run, Messi has a realistic opportunity to move past Miroslav Klose and become the outright all-time leading World Cup goal scorer in men’s football history.
Image Source – aljazeera.com
