Lionel Messi delivered another unforgettable performance on football’s biggest stage, scoring a sensational hat-trick as Argentina opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria.
The Argentine captain’s three-goal masterclass saw him equal former Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time men’s FIFA World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, further cementing his status among the greatest players in football history.
Messi entered the tournament needing three goals to draw level with Klose’s long-standing mark and achieved the feat in his very first match of the competition.
Read Also:2026 FIFA World Cup: Messi Reaches New Milestones
The 38-year-old also became the first player to score a hat-trick at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, producing a performance that underlined why he remains the heartbeat of Argentina’s title defence.
Argentina’s victory over Algeria was powered by Messi’s brilliance as the reigning world champions made a perfect start to their campaign.
Messi’s achievement comes during a tournament already filled with milestones for the Argentine legend.
Earlier in the match, he made his 200th international appearance for Argentina, becoming only the third player in football history to reach that landmark.
Having already become the first player to feature in six FIFA World Cups, Messi continues to rewrite the record books.
His latest hat-trick not only places him alongside Klose at the top of the World Cup scoring charts but also moves him within touching distance of becoming the outright highest scorer in the history of the tournament.
Argentina’s convincing win sends an early message to the rest of the competition that Lionel Scaloni’s side remain serious contenders to retain the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago.
With Messi in record-breaking form, La Albiceleste’s quest for back-to-back World Cup titles has begun in spectacular fashion.
