| 🇦🇷 ARGENTINA | 3 — 0 | ALGERIA 🇩🇿 |
Messi 17′ ⚽ | Messi 60′ ⚽ | Messi 76′ ⚽
| 16 All-time WC goals (=Klose) | 61 Career hat-tricks | 38 Age — oldest multi- goal WC scorer | 200 International caps | 6 Shots vs Algeria | 20yrs Since WC debut (2006) |
The eyes of the world were fixed on Lionel Messi in Kansas City on Wednesday evening and he delivered something that will be talked about for decades. The Argentina captain scored a stunning hat-trick as the defending World Cup champions beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener, etching his name deeper into football history with every touch of the ball.
His treble moved him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 all-time World Cup goals a record that had stood unchallenged for 12 years. At 38 years old, he also became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match, surpassing Roger Milla‘s long-standing record. And all of this on his 200th international cap for Argentina a milestone that felt almost secondary to the spectacle around it.
How the Hat-Trick Unfolded: Three Goals, Three Moments of Magic
The first arrived in the 17th minute, engineered by Rodrigo De Paul, whose cutting through ball found Messi in the pocket of space he has made his own across four World Cups. Taking it on the half turn with effortless composure, he bent a sumptuous strike beyond Luca Zidane son of France legend Zinedine Zidane into the top corner. The crowd erupted. The records began to fall.
There was a moment of controversy shortly after, when Messi raked his studs down the calf of Algeria defender Aissa Mandi in a challenge that could and by many assessments should have resulted in a red card. Referee Szymon Marciniak gave the foul but showed no card. VAR did not intervene. Messi stayed on the pitch.
The second came on the hour mark, when he pounced on a parried effort from Alexis Mac Allister, steering home with his weaker right foot to double Argentina’s lead. Then, in the 76th minute, Messi arrived on the edge of the box to curl a low, bending strike expertly inside the post his 61st career hat-trick, and by far the most significant.
He was substituted shortly after to a standing ovation from a crowd that was overwhelmingly pro-Argentina though even those who had arrived supporting Algeria could not help but acknowledge what they had witnessed.
Key Match Moments
| Min | Key Moment |
| 17′ | ⚽ GOAL — Messi takes De Paul’s cutting pass on the half turn, bends a sumptuous strike into the top corner |
| 32′ | 🟥 RED CARD? Messi rakes studs down Mandi’s calf — no card shown, VAR does not intervene |
| 60′ | ⚽ GOAL — Messi pounces on Mac Allister’s parried effort, steers home with his right foot |
| 76′ | ⚽ GOAL — Messi’s hat-trick complete: arrives on edge of box, curls low inside the post |
Should Messi Have Been Sent Off? The Red Card Debate
The biggest talking point beyond the goals was the incident in the 32nd minute when Messi raked his studs down the calf of Algeria’s Aissa Mandi while challenging for the ball. Under IFAB rules, a player should be dismissed for any challenge that “endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force” a standard that the challenge appeared to meet.
Referee Marciniak blew for a foul but did not reach for a card. VAR also failed to check the incident. Messi remained on the pitch and went on to complete his hat-trick with two more goals in the following 44 minutes. Had the red card been shown, football history would have looked very different on Wednesday evening.
| DEBATE: Should Messi Have Seen Red? IFAB rules state a player should be sent off for a challenge that ‘endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force’. Messi’s studs-down challenge on Mandi in the 32nd minute before his second and third goals appeared to meet that threshold. Referee Marciniak gave the foul but showed no card. VAR did not check. |
Beyond the Goals: A Display That Defied Age and Logic
What makes Messi‘s performance even more remarkable is that his contribution extended far beyond three goals. He took the most shots of any player on the pitch (six), registered the joint-most touches in the opposition box (four), and contributed seven passes into the final third for his teammates.
His work rate was equally striking. Only De Paul and Enzo Fernandez made more tackles for Argentina. He won three duels in the middle of the park. At 38 years old, he moved and pressed like a player half his age a fitness level that few had dared to expect given the doubts heading into this tournament.
“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni afterwards. “For 20 years, he’s had us used to seeing things like this. He inspires everyone who watches him play.”
| “What I’m living through now is the cherry on top. I’m very happy and grateful for this wonderful group. I enjoy it so much. When I’m in good shape, I give it my all.” — Lionel Messi, Argentina Captain |
Group J Standings After Matchday 1
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
Argentina‘s next match is against Austria on 22 June, who also won their opening game 3-1 against Jordan, setting up a potential group decider between the two top sides.
History Written in Kansas City: What This Night Means
This was Messi‘s first World Cup hat-trick in his sixth appearance at the tournament, spanning an extraordinary 20 years since his debut against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 a game in which he also scored. He is now level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, and with Argentina progressing smoothly, the record is his to break.
Remarkably, Messi has never won the World Cup Golden Boot despite his unprecedented achievements at the tournament. With this hat-trick and this form, that long-overdue accolade and another World Cup winner’s medal with Argentina now looks a genuine possibility.
Football has witnessed many extraordinary nights. Wednesday evening in Kansas City belongs among the very best of them.
Follow all the latest World Cup 2026 results, fixtures, Group J standings, and match analysis right here.
