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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
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RFI

Messi equals World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Algeria

The French caption says Messi scored his 14th World Cup goal against Algeria.
The French caption says Messi scored his 14th World Cup goal against Algeria. AP Photo/Ed Zurga - Ed Zurga

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.

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