Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City with a hat-trick from Lionel Messi. The captain equalled the all-time World Cup scoring record.
Lionel Messi scored all three goals in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in the opening match of Group J at the 2026 World Cup. The game took place in Kansas City.
The Argentine captain equalled Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals. After the match Messi posted on Instagram: “Feliz por el comienzo, agradecido por el cariño y muy orgulloso de ver a este grupo volver a competir como viene haciéndolo todos estos años”.
Coach Lionel Scaloni embraced Messi as he left the pitch and told him “Te quiero mucho”. Argentina’s next opponent is Austria on Monday 22 June in Dallas.
