Defending champions Argentina kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group J match. The encounter, held in Kansas City, Missouri, saw the South American powerhouse control the tempo of the game from the whistle, securing a comfortable three points.

The headlines belonged to national team captain Lionel Messi, who produced a masterclass performance by netting all three goals in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes. The stunning hat-trick brought the 38-year-old’s total World Cup goal tally to 16, tying Germany's Miroslav Klose as the all-time joint-top scorer in World Cup history. Additionally, Messi carved his name deeper into football lore by becoming the first player ever to feature in six different World Cup tournaments.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who currently plays in the MLS for Inter Miami following historic spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, adds this milestone to a legendary resume that includes the 2022 World Cup trophy. Looking forward in Group J, which also features Austria and Jordan, Argentina will face Austria on June 22, while Algeria looks to bounce back against Jordan on June 23.