WORLD CUP: MESSI HAT-TRICK FIRES ARGENTINA TO 3-0 WIN OVER ALGERIA

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Argentina captain Lionel Messi marked his record sixth FIFA World Cup appearance with the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career, inspiring the defending champions to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 tournament.

The 38-year-old forward also etched his name further into football history by equalling former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.

Messi thought he had opened the scoring in the eighth minute of the Group J encounter in Kansas City when he finished from close range, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

The Argentine legend, however, was not denied for long. He broke the deadlock with a trademark run before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box that beat Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of former France and World Cup-winning star Zinedine Zidane.

Messi doubled Argentina’s advantage on the hour mark, tapping into an empty net after goalkeeper Zidane parried an effort from Alexis Mac Allister into his path.

The historic moment arrived in the 76th minute when Messi drilled a low shot from outside the penalty area into the net to complete his hat-trick and draw level with Klose on 16 World Cup goals.

He was substituted three minutes later to a standing ovation from the crowd, with Argentina coach opting to rest his captain as the South Americans continue their bid to become only the third nation to successfully defend a World Cup title.

Algeria, winners of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, struggled to trouble the reigning world champions throughout the contest. They briefly thought they had taken an early lead when Fares Chaibi found the net in the ninth minute, but the goal was also ruled out for offside.

Messi ensured there would be no repeat of Argentina’s shock opening-game defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, delivering a commanding performance to launch their title defence in style.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, will now look to surpass Klose’s record as the tournament progresses.

Elsewhere in Group J, Jordan and Austria were scheduled to begin their World Cup campaigns later on Tuesday in San Francisco.