Messi Dazzles and Breaks Records as Argentina Dominate Algeria in World Cup Opener

Lionel Messi delivered yet another historic chapter in his storied career, netting a hat-trick as Argentina cruised past Algeria 3–0 to kick off its World Cup title defense in stunning style.

The three goals saw Messi draw level with Miroslav Klose as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 16. On a day when Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland had already turned heads, Messi went one better and put in the finest individual display of the 2026 World Cup to date.

Both sides had goals ruled out for offside in the early stages, before Messi ignited Argentina's celebrations with a thunderous strike in the 17th minute. Algeria refused to fold, persistently threatening around Argentina's penalty box, yet they couldn't find a way through Lionel Scaloni's resolute defensive unit.

The contest shifted dramatically when Luca Zidane fumbled an Alexis Mac Allister effort, leaving the loose ball perfectly placed for Messi to tap home his second just after the hour. History came calling ten minutes later, as Messi curled a shot into the bottom corner to complete his first-ever World Cup hat-trick, the goal enough to equal Klose's legendary record.

It was a truly extraordinary night from an extraordinary player, one that also sent an unmistakable signal that Argentina is more than ready to defend the crown it claimed at Qatar 2022.

The Moment That Defined The Match

Miroslav Klose finally has some company. pic.twitter.com/Fr8H4RrCFJ

Messi's record-breaking display came precisely 20 years after he scored his very first World Cup goal. A teenage Messi, just 18 with long hair, entered as a substitute and netted the final goal in Argentina's emphatic 6–0 group-stage rout of Serbia at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

On Tuesday evening, Messi's opener was the kind of goal the football world has witnessed with remarkable frequency over the last two decades. Messi found pockets of space between Algeria's defensive lines to collect a perfectly-weighted through ball from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul. An exquisite first touch on the half-turn allowed Messi to burst toward goal. Defenders backpedaled as though he were charging at them, giving the all-time great enough room to unleash a powerful shot that beat Luca Zidane and put Argentina ahead after 17 minutes. The goal made Messi the only player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo to have scored at five separate World Cup tournaments.

Messi was quickest to react and punish a poor Luca Zidane clearance to grab his brace around the hour mark. His second drew him level with Brazil's Ronaldo and one ahead of Kylian Mbappé on 15 career World Cup goals. But the best was still to come.

The greatest footballer of all time wasn't finished, his signature curling effort still to arrive. Messi collected the ball on the edge of the box, composed himself, and bent a shot into the bottom corner to seal his first-ever World Cup hat-trick and match Klose's all-time record.

In the opening match of what will almost certainly be his final World Cup, Arrowhead Stadium bore witness to a historic performance from the living legend.

Argentina Player Ratings vs. Algeria (4-4-2)

Inevitable. pic.twitter.com/WMLqIGHfQ7

*Ratings Provided by FotMob*

GK: Emiliano Martínez—7.0: His shot-stopping abilities were barely called upon as Algeria posed little threat going forward. A straightforward evening for the goalkeeper.

RB: Gonzalo Montiel—6.8: Fortunate the offside flag was raised, as his positioning for what would have been Algeria's first goal was woeful. After a difficult opening spell where fouling was his primary tool to deal with Rayan Aït-Nouri, the River Plate defender eventually found his footing.

CB: Cristian Romero—7.2: Not as commanding as his central defensive partner, but Romero fulfilled his defensive responsibilities capably and his passing out from the back was of a high standard.

CB: Lisandro Martínez—7.7: An authoritative showing from the Manchester United defender. The combative centre-back was on hand to intervene whenever required, producing crucial challenges that snuffed out some of Algeria's most threatening moves.

LB: Facundo Medina—7.2: Worked tirelessly to provide width along the left flank, even if he tended to recycle possession when the ball reached him in Algeria's half. Solid defensively.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—8.2: The vocal critics calling for De Paul to be axed following underwhelming displays for Inter Miami in MLS were quickly silenced as he threaded a breathtaking pass through the lines to set up Messi's opener. Outstanding from start to finish.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister—7.2: Composed in possession and covered every inch of the pitch to support teammates whenever Algeria looked to break on the counter.

CM: Enzo Fernández—7.5: Argentina supporters got exactly what they wanted. Liberated from the positional constraints that have characterized his time at Chelsea, Fernández dropped deeper to anchor the midfield and acted as Argentina's orchestrator, involved in seemingly every other passage of play and setting the tempo throughout. The match moved to his beat.

LM: Thiago Almada—7.0: Made a bright start, and while his impact faded as the game wore on, it was still a respectable performance from the Atlético Madrid man.

ST: Lionel Messi—9.7: Messi marked his 200th cap for Argentina with a legendary World Cup display.

ST: Lautaro Martínez—6.5: Largely peripheral throughout the evening, rarely getting involved in the action. He had one opportunity to make his mark, but Zidane produced a fine save to deny him before he was substituted shortly after.

SUB: Nahuel Molina (46' for Montiel)—6.9: Inconsistent in possession but defensively sound, a clear upgrade on what Montiel had offered in the opening half.

SUB: Nicolás González (55' for Almada)—7.2: Demonstrated exactly why, despite doubters, Scaloni named him in his 26-man squad. In a team packed with midfielders who prefer the ball to feet, González offers a contrasting profile, thriving in behind defenses. Provided the assist for Messi's record-breaking goal.

SUB: Julián Alvarez (55' for L. Martínez)—6.0: Had little opportunity to make an impression as Argentina eased off the accelerator shortly after he came on.

SUB: Nicolás Otamendi (80' for Romero)—6.5: The experienced defender made three defensive contributions during his ten-minute run-out.

SUB: Nico Paz (80' for Messi)—6.2: Unable to leave his mark during his brief appearance with the match already decided.

Subs not used: Gerónimo Rulli (GK), Juan Musso (GK), Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes, Valentín Barco, José López.

What the Ratings Tell Us

The Numbers That Explain Argentina's Dominant Debut

The oldest hat-trick scorer in World Cup history.

Lionel Andres Messi will not be stopped. pic.twitter.com/JcOoN7Unxq