Argentina 3-0 Algeria: Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
(Courtesy :Â Getty Images)
Messi opened his 2026 World Cup with a hat-trick.
Lionel Messi ensured that Argentina’s 2026 World Cup began very differently from the way it did four years ago.
Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 on Tuesday night, with Messi scoring all three goals. Messi doubled the advantage in the 60th minute, pouncing on a rebound from Alexis Mac Allister’s long shot. This one came after his first goal early in the first half, where he cut through the middle of the Algerian defence.
Argentina won the game thanks to that goal. But Messi wasn’t finished. Sixteen minutes after sliding his second past Zidane, he added a third. It was a perfectly placed left-footed shot to goalie Luca Zidane’s right, giving him his first World Cup hat trick.
Five takeaways:
5. Messi scored his first hat-trick at the World Cup
Lionel Messi opened his FIFA World Cup 2026 account with a mesmerising goal when he gave Argentina the lead in the 17th minute. The forward followed it by another goal in the 60th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 76th Minute.
Moreover, it was his first-ever hat-trick in the World Cup. The forward had never netted a treble in previous World Cups.
4. Messi has scored five outside-the-box goals at the FIFA World Cup
Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City. His first goal came from outside the box, setting a new World Cup record; no player has accumulated more goals from outside the area than Lionel Messi (5) since 1966.
3. Messi becomes the oldest player to score a hat-trick
Messi, 38 years and 357 days old, became the oldest player in World Cup history to score a hat trick. He reached this milestone when Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi’s three-goal performance against Algeria not only broke existing records for older players but also tied him at the top of football’s most important statistical categories.
Also read: Lionel Messi becomes oldest player to score World Cup hat-trick; surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo
2. Messi made a record sixth appearance at the World Cup
Lionel Messi earned another milestone in his great career, becoming the first player to compete in six World Cups.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient created history when he appeared in Argentina’s first game of the competition against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri.
He made his World Cup debut at the age of 18, coming on as a substitute and scoring in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro in the group stage in 2006.
1. Messi becomes the joint-top goalscorer at the World Cup
Just a week before his 39th birthday, Argentina’s captain scored his first World Cup hat trick against Algeria. He is reminding everyone why he is regarded as the greatest football player of all time.
Following his hat-trick against Algeria, Messi now has 16 World Cup goals, tying Miroslav Klose for the top scorer in tournament history.
Also read: Top 12 highest scorers in FIFA World Cup history ft. Kylian Mbappe & Lionel Messi
What was the game highlight between Argentina and Algeria?
Messi netted a hat-trick, which was a major highlight of the game.
Where do the South Americans stand in the group?
They are now top of Group J.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.