Argentina opened their World Cup defence with a confident 3-0 victory over Algeria, driven by a historic display from Lionel Messi in Group J. Playing his 200th match for Argentina, Messi struck a hat-trick at Kansas City Stadium and became the first player to appear at six different World Cup tournaments.

Messi’s goals in the United States also pulled the Argentina captain level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup strikes. The occasion drew major attention, with NFL star Patrick Mahomes among those in the stands, as Argentina began the 2026 campaign with a result that underlined their status as leading contenders.

Messi’s performance added several new entries to the record books. At 38 years and 357 days, Messi became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, and has now scored 10 World Cup goals after turning 35. He also moved within one goal of owning the outright all-time World Cup scoring record.

Another milestone fell as Messi became the first Argentine player to find the net in five consecutive World Cup games, moving ahead of Hernan Crespo and Guillermo Stabile, who both managed scoring streaks of five. This hat-trick was Messi’s 11th for Argentina and the 61st of a long senior career for club and country.

Kansas City, often highlighted as a major football centre in the United States, provided an appropriate stage. Messi led Argentina with six shots, more than in the 2022 final, when Messi scored twice. Messi also created two chances, the highest tally for any player on either side, as Argentina showed control in both attack and possession.

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At this World Cup, Messi is also competing with other elite forwards. Earlier the same day, Kylian Mbappe had gone ahead of Messi in the all‑time World Cup scoring chart with a double for France against Senegal. Erling Haaland began Norway’s first match with two goals as well, yet Messi’s treble quickly shifted attention back to Argentina’s captain.