Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance as Argentina began their 2026 FIFA World Cup title defence with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria. The legendary forward scored his first World Cup hat-trick and equalled Miroslav Klose's all-time scoring record of 16 goals.
Messi's Historic Night
The Argentina captain marked his 200th international appearance with a display of timeless brilliance. Despite approaching his 39th birthday, Messi proved he remains one of football's most influential players.
FIFA acknowledged his achievement with a simple yet powerful message on social media: "Classic Messi". The post quickly went viral as fans and pundits celebrated the milestone.
Match Highlights
Argentina faced a determined Algerian side, but Messi's quality proved decisive. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when he curled a superb effort past goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane.
Argentina had a goal disallowed earlier, and Algeria also saw one ruled out. However, once Messi found his rhythm, the outcome was never in doubt.
After the break, Messi doubled the lead in the 61st minute, capitalising on a Zidane error to slot home his second. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, sparking celebrations among Argentina fans.
Records Tumbled
Messi's hat-trick saw him break several records. At 38 years and 357 days old, he became the oldest player in men's World Cup history to score both a brace and a hat-trick in a match. He also surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo's record as the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
His international tally now stands at 120 goals, second only to Ronaldo's 143 in men's football. Messi has now scored in five different World Cups and in five consecutive World Cup matches, equalling another competition record.
What's Next
With matches against Austria and Jordan remaining in Group J, Messi has the opportunity to become the first player ever to score in six straight World Cup games. He could also claim the World Cup Golden Boot outright.
Earlier reports highlighted that the 2026 World Cup features two players—Messi and Kylian Mbappe—within touching distance of Klose's record. Messi's hat-trick has now brought him level, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament ahead.
