Hyderabad : Lionel Messi produced a performance for the ages as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, with the captain scoring the first FIFA World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career. On a night filled with milestones, Messi once again etched his name into football history, leading La Albiceleste to a commanding victory and moving level as the joint-highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history.
The match burst into life from the opening minutes, with both sides seeing goals ruled out for offside. Messi thought he had given Argentina the lead in the 5th minute before the flag was raised, while Algeria had an effort disallowed just 3 minutes later at the other end.
Argentina eventually found the breakthrough in the 17th minute through a moment of trademark brilliance from their captain. Making his 27th FIFA World Cup appearance, Messi unleashed a stunning strike from distance that flew into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. The goal was particularly significant as it marked Messi’s 118th goal for Argentina on his landmark 200th appearance for the national team.
After controlling much of the contest, Argentina doubled their advantage in the 60th minute. Alexis Mac Allister’s initial effort was parried by the Algerian goalkeeper, but Messi reacted quickest to convert the rebound and register the third FIFA World Cup brace of his career.
The crowning moment arrived in the 76th minute when Nico González picked out Messi outside the box, and the Argentine captain calmly found the net to complete a historic hat-trick. It was Messi’s first-ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick, adding yet another chapter to one of the greatest careers in football history. The strike also saw him move level as the joint-highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history, further cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.
The night also carried special significance in World Cup history. On June 16, 2006, Messi became Argentina’s youngest-ever FIFA World Cup goal scorer. Exactly 20 years later, on June 16, 2026, he became Argentina’s oldest FIFA World Cup goal scorer, completing a remarkable two-decade journey on football’s biggest stage.
With Messi orchestrating proceedings throughout, Argentina comfortably saw out the remainder of the match to secure all three points. The victory underlined their status as title contenders, but the night unquestionably belonged to Messi, whose record-breaking hat-trick, 120th goal for Argentina on his 200th international appearance, and rise to become the joint-highest goal scorer alongside Miroslav Klose with 16 goals in the FIFA World Cup history reinforced his enduring legacy as one of the greatest players the tournament has ever seen.