Messi Hat Trick Powers Argentina Past Algeria

Group Stage · Group J · Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City · June 16, 2026

Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as defending champions Argentina opened their World Cup with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City. The hat trick takes Messi to 16 World Cup goals, level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time record, at his sixth tournament.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute from Rodrigo De Paul’s pass. He added a second on the hour, and completed his hat trick in the 76th minute, set up by substitute Nicolás González.

Argentina took only four shots in the first half and led through Messi’s goal alone. They made changes early in the second half: Nahuel Molina replaced Gonzalo Montiel at halftime, and in the 55th minute Julián Alvarez and González came on for Lautaro Martínez and Thiago Almada. Five minutes later Messi doubled the lead, and González provided the third.

Algeria responded with a triple change in the 64th minute, sending on Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura and Houssem Aouar, but they could not find a way back. Messi made way for Nico Paz in the 80th minute, at the same time as Nicolás Otamendi replaced Cristian Romero. The game had no yellow cards.

Algeria had slightly more of the ball (52%) and completed 563 of 609 passes, or 92%, but did not put a single shot on target. They took seven shots for 0.30 expected goals. Argentina took 10 shots, six on target, for 1.47 expected goals, and Emiliano Martínez did not have to make a save. At the other end, Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane made three saves.

Messi finished with six shots, four on target, two key passes and even two tackles, and earned a perfect 10 match rating. De Paul combined his assist with three tackles and two interceptions, while Enzo Fernández made four tackles in midfield. For Algeria, Rayan Aït-Nouri completed three dribbles and made four tackles, and Ramy Bensebaini made three interceptions.

Argentina lined up in a 4-4-2, with Messi and Lautaro Martínez in attack and De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Fernández and Almada across midfield. Algeria set up in a 4-3-3, with Chaïbi, Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa in front, and Mahrez starting on the bench.

Argentina top Group J. Austria and Jordan play later today. Argentina face Austria next, while Algeria meet Jordan.

More: Argentina at the 2026 World Cup · Algeria at the 2026 World Cup · Group J guide

ESO Soccer Match Desk

Archive coverage. First published on ESO Soccer on October 1, 2026. The archive date reflects the events covered.