Lionel Messi's Hat Trick Leads Argentina to Victory Over Algeria

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The World Cup holders came to the Midwest looking for a clean start. Lionel Messi gave them something more: a reminder that, even at 38, he still bends the sport to his will.

Under the lights at Arrowhead Stadium, Messi tore through Algeria with a ruthless hat trick in a 3-0 win that launched Argentina’s title defense and dragged him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 career World Cup goals — the joint all-time record.

No drama this time. No early stumble. Just the champion, and its captain, setting the tone.

A different kind of opener

Argentina carried the scar of 2022’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia into this tournament, that jarring loss having ultimately fueled their charge to the trophy. There was no repeat in Kansas City. From the opening whistle, Lionel Scaloni’s side played like a team determined to remove any hint of jeopardy from its first Group J assignment.

The breakthrough came early, and fittingly, from the left boot that has defined an era.

In the 17th minute, Messi drifted into that familiar inside-right pocket, exchanged passes with Rodrigo De Paul, and suddenly had space. One touch to set, another to unleash. His shot ripped from outside the area and flew into the top corner, beyond any goalkeeper’s reach. Argentina had its lead; the stadium had its moment.

Algeria wobbled. Argentina hunted a second.

Thiago Almada should have found it before the break but failed to convert a presentable chance. Lautaro Martínez then forced Luca Zidane — son of France legend Zinedine Zidane — into a sharp save, the young goalkeeper doing just enough to keep his side within touching distance.

Messi closes on history

The resistance could only last so long. Argentina tightened its grip after halftime, pinning Algeria deeper, moving the ball quicker, asking constant questions of a tiring back line.

The pressure finally told just past the hour mark.

Alexis Mac Allister burst into the box and saw his effort blocked by Zidane, but the rebound fell to the one player Algeria least wanted to see. Messi reacted first, pouncing on the loose ball and steering it home to double the lead and move to 15 World Cup goals, one behind Klose’s mark.

Arrowhead roared. Argentina relaxed. Algeria sagged.

Messi nearly completed the record chase within minutes. Released through on goal, he shaped to finish but Zidane stood tall in the one-on-one, smothering the chance and winning a rare duel. Moments later, Messi appealed for a penalty after contact in the area, but the referee waved play on.

The third goal, when it came, felt inevitable.

In the 76th minute, Nicolás González slipped a pass into Messi’s path. The captain didn’t blast this one; he passed it into the corner with a low, precise finish, the kind of cold-blooded strike that has become his trademark. Hat trick complete. Record matched. Algeria beaten.

Standing ovation for a shared record

By then, the contest was over. Argentina controlled the closing stages with the authority of a champion, rotating the ball, conserving energy, offering Algeria only the faintest hope of a consolation that never arrived.

Late on, Scaloni made the change everyone in the building knew was coming. Messi’s number went up. As he jogged toward the touchline, Arrowhead rose as one. Argentina fans, neutrals, even those who came simply to witness history, delivered a standing ovation that rolled around the stadium.

He had given them three goals, a slice of history, and a clear signal that he has no intention of easing his grip on this tournament.

Argentina walked away with three points, a clean sheet, and their captain now level with Klose atop the World Cup scoring charts. Group J games against Austria and Jordan still lie ahead.

The record is there for Messi to break. The only question now is how far beyond it he plans to go.