Lionel Messi produced one of the great individual World Cup performances on his 200th appearance for Argentina, scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick to lead the defending champions to a 3-0 win over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The 38-year-old's three goals took him to 16 for his World Cup career — level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose for the all-time record — and confirmed his status as the first man in history to appear in six different World Cups.
THE GOALS
Messi opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 17th minute — a long-range screamer that gave Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, no chance whatsoever. Algeria responded with spirit and Argentina did not add a second until the hour mark. Lautaro Martinez shot straight at Zidane, who then produced a fine save to deny Alexis Mac Allister moments later — but Messi reacted quickest to the loose ball and turned in the rebound from close range for his second of the night, level with Brazil great Ronaldo Nazario's tally of 15 across six tournament appearances.
His hat-trick goal arrived in the 76th minute after Mac Allister's pass sent him clear at 66 minutes had already been well saved by Zidane and a subsequent penalty appeal — after Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri sent him tumbling in the box — was waved away by referee Szymon Marciniak. Messi was not to be denied a second time. He collected a pass from Nicolas Gonzalez and curled an accurate effort into the bottom corner to complete the treble. Arrowhead Stadium, packed with over 69,000 fans, rose as one. Messi was substituted shortly after for Nico Paz to a standing ovation, his job done for the night.
HOW THE GAME PLAYED OUT
Algeria, appearing in their first World Cup since 2014, competed gamely without ever threatening to find a way back into the game once Messi found his rhythm. Argentina avoided any repeat of their infamous opening-match defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup — a result they recovered from to lift the trophy in Qatar. There would be no such scare this time. Defending champions, perfect start.
THE RECORDS
Messi's hat-trick brought his World Cup goal contributions to 24 — surpassing Pele's all-time mark of 21. He is now level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals and has the chance to move into outright first place in Argentina's remaining group games against Austria and Jordan. France's Kylian Mbappe, on 14 after his brace against Senegal, is also chasing the record. It is a three-way race for World Cup history that will run through the rest of the group stage.
LINEUPS
Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez. Sub: Paz (for Messi).
Algeria: Zidane; Mandi and back four; midfield including Chaibi; attacking line.
THE NUMBERS
16 World Cup goals for Messi — level with Klose's all-time record. 24 goal contributions — ahead of Pele's 21. Argentina's first World Cup hat-trick from Messi in six tournament appearances.
WHAT IT MEANS
Argentina top Group J on three points after matchday one, the perfect start to their title defence. Algeria must now find a response against Austria and Jordan to keep their qualification hopes alive. The bigger story belongs to Messi — at 38, in what may be his final World Cup, he has put himself level with history's greatest goalscorer in the tournament, with two more group games to potentially stand alone at the top.