Argentina opened their World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City. Lionel Messi scored all three goals – a first‑half strike, a second‑half finish and a curling effort from the edge of the box. Midfielders Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul supplied the support, and Messi left the field to a standing ovation.

The treble lifted Messi to 16 tournament goals, matching Germany’s Miroslav Klose on the all‑time World Cup scoring list. At 38, he became the oldest player to score multiple times in a tournament, eclipsing Roger Milla’s record. The stadium erupted each time the ball hit the net. The feat marked his 61st career hat‑trick and came 20 years after his debut against Serbia and Montenegro.

Argentina’s dominant start puts them atop Group J, giving a psychological edge before the next round. A clean sheet also boosts goal‑difference, a tiebreaker that could prove decisive in a tight group. Algeria, left winless, must regroup quickly if they hope to stay in contention.