Lionel Messi delivered a historic performance on Tuesday, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career as defending champions Argentina opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria.
The 38-year-old superstar lit up Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, where more than 69,000 fans witnessed another milestone in a career already packed with records.
Messi became the first footballer to play in six FIFA World Cups when he led Argentina onto the pitch for his 200th international appearance. He then added another chapter to his legacy by scoring three goals and moving level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint highest scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals.
Argentina dominated from the opening whistle and rarely allowed Algeria a chance to settle.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. He curled a brilliant strike into the corner to register his 14th World Cup goal. The effort moved him level with German legend Gerd Muller and France captain Kylian Mbappe in the all-time rankings.
Historic Hat-Trick Delights Argentina Fans
The Argentine captain reached another landmark in the 60th minute. He reacted quickest after Alexis Mac Allister’s effort rebounded into his path and calmly slotted home for his second goal of the night.
That strike lifted Messi to 15 World Cup goals and placed him alongside Brazilian great Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi vs. Argelia
Copa del Mundo 2026pic.twitter.com/bh6x9J11qi— AgustÃn Iseas (@AgustinIseas10) June 17, 2026
The record-equalling moment arrived in the 76th minute. Messi collected the ball near the edge of the area and fired a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick.
The crowd erupted as the Argentine icon drew level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals.
Four minutes later, coach Lionel Scaloni substituted Messi. Fans rose to their feet and applauded as he left the field after one of the finest World Cup performances of his career.
The victory gave Argentina an ideal start in Group J as they pursue a second consecutive World Cup title after their dramatic triumph over France in the 2022 final in Qatar.
Mbappe and Haaland Also Shine
Elsewhere, France opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice and became France’s all-time leading scorer with 58 international goals, moving past Olivier Giroud.
“There are still people out there who will criticise him but he is an extraordinary player,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Not everything came off for him, but he can win games in one moment.”
Norway also enjoyed a winning start. Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Foxborough.
The Manchester City striker increased his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances.
“You could see that he adapted to the occasion, the occasion wasn’t too big for him,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken said.
“I had a good feeling before the game. I had quite a comfortable feeling that he would do it for us today.”
With Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all making headlines, the race for World Cup glory and football immortality has begun in spectacular fashion.
