Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria on Wednesday, moving level with Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time leading scorer.
Algeria, back at a World Cup for the first time since 2014, struggled to contain the defending champions as Messi reached 16 goals in football's biggest competition during his record sixth appearance at the tournament.
Argentina are aiming to become the first nation since Pelé's Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup trophy.
Algeria faced a difficult assignment against the reigning champions and coach Vladimir Petkovic made a surprise selection call by leaving captain Riyad Mahrez on the bench in favour of Hadj Moussa.
Petkovic set up his side in an ambitious 4-4-2 formation with Amine Gouiri and Ibrahim Maza leading the attack and instructions to press high up the pitch.
Argentina thought they had gone ahead after five minutes when Messi finished a move started by Lautaro Martinez, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Algeria responded four minutes later when Farès Chaïbi found the net from a pass by Maza, only for that effort to be disallowed for offside as well.
Argentina in control
The lively start eventually swung Argentina's way.
A vertical pass from Rodrigo De Paul found Messi unmarked near the edge of the penalty area. The Argentina captain advanced and drove a powerful shot beyond Luca Zidane to give his side a 1-0 lead after 17 minutes.
The goal came in Messi's 200th international appearance.
Algeria found themselves pinned back for much of the first half as Argentina dictated possession. Alexis Mac Allister was influential in midfield and Messi repeatedly found space in dangerous areas.
One challenge by Messi on Aïssa Mandi in the 32nd minute could have been reviewed by VAR after his studs caught the defender's calf.
Apart from a late effort from Chaïbi, Algeria offered little attacking threat and went into the break trailing by a single goal.
Messi makes history
The pattern continued after half-time.
Messi fired wide in the 50th minute before setting up Martinez, whose angled shot was pushed away by Zidane two minutes later.
Algeria failed to respond and Argentina doubled their lead in the 60th minute. Mac Allister's powerful strike was only partially cleared by Zidane and Messi reacted quickest to turn the loose ball into the net.
The Algerian goalkeeper then denied Messi with an excellent one-handed save, but Algeria remained under pressure.
Houssem Aouar's long-range effort in the 69th minute was one of the few signs of resistance. The night belonged to Messi, however.
A pass from Nicolás González found the Argentine forward in the 76th minute and he curled a shot inside the near post to complete his hat-trick.
The three goals took the 38-year-old level with Germany's Klose on 16 World Cup goals. It was also the first World Cup hat-trick of Messi's career.
"To enjoy this with my family, with my team-mates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment," Messi said afterwards.
"I'm happy."
The Inter Miami forward described the win as an important start for Argentina.
"I feel good. We were lucky enough to win a tough match. It's important to start off with a win in the first game."
Messi also pointed to the strength of Argentina's squad.
"The squad, it's a very united, very strong group."
Support from Argentina's fans at Arrowhead Stadium was another part of the night for the captain.
"I'm grateful to the fans, because once again they've shown that Argentina is crazy about this. We packed the stadium again."
Scaloni's tribute
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi continued to amaze even after two decades at the highest level.
"For 20 years, he's had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play," Scaloni said.
Scaloni said his attention had already turned to Argentina's next Group J match against Austria as his team seeks to secure a place in the knockout stage.
"We're going to take it one game at a time," he said.
"Hopefully we can win the next one so everyone can be in the third group stage match."
Algeria must now regroup before facing Jordan on 23 June and Austria on 28 June if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.
(with newswires)
