Messi Hat-Trick Ties World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Defeats Algeria
10 verified9 unconfirmed
Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening match of the 2026 tournament at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The 38-year-old forward's three goals moved him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose atop the all-time World Cup scoring list with 16 goals, while Argentina began its title defense with a dominant performance. Messi opened the scoring in the first half with a left-footed shot from outside the box, doubled the lead early in the second half from a rebound, and completed the hat-trick in the 76th minute. The match marked Messi's 200th international appearance, and he became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he does not have words to describe Messi and that the forward continues to inspire everyone who watches him play. Messi's first goal was initially disallowed for offside before he broke through. A challenge on Algeria's Aissa Mandi sparked debate over whether Messi should have been shown a red card, but no action was taken by the referee or VAR.
What’s verified
Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria.
The hat-trick tied Messi with Miroslav Klose for the all-time World Cup goals record with 16.
The match was played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Messi's first goal was a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 17th/18th minute.
His second goal came in the 60th minute from a rebound.
His third goal arrived in the 76th minute from a pass by substitute Nico Gonzalez.
Messi made his 200th international appearance.
He became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match, surpassing Roger Milla's record.
Messi avoided a red card for a challenge on Algeria's Aissa Mandi.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he does not have words to describe Messi and that he inspires everyone.
Not yet confirmed
Messi is the first player to feature at six World Cups, according to a single source.
Attendance was reported as 69,045 by one source.
Messi's hat-trick was his 61st career hat-trick, according to one source.
Messi's post-match comment that his current experience is the "cherry on top" comes from a single source.
Another source quotes Messi saying he is grateful for his family and teammates and called the win tough but important.
Quotes from Thierry Henry, Nedum Onuoha, and Leon Osman on the red-card debate each appear in only one source.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes watched from the stadium, according to one source.
Messi took the most shots (six) and registered the joint-most touches in the opposition box (four), per one source.
Messi made seven passes into the final third, per one source.
Misconceptions
Some analysts questioned whether Messi should have received a red card for his challenge on Aissa Mandi, but others argued the contact was not intentional and was a football action focused on the ball.
Key figures
Lionel Messi (Argentina captain, forward)
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina head coach)
Aissa Mandi (Algeria defender)
Miroslav Klose (Germany, all-time World Cup scoring leader)
Luca Zidane (Algeria goalkeeper)
Nico Gonzalez (Argentina substitute)
Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina midfielder)
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina midfielder)
Kylian Mbappe (France forward)
Erling Haaland (Norway forward)
Szymon Marciniak (match referee)
Thierry Henry (former France and Arsenal striker, analyst)
Nedum Onuoha (former Manchester City defender, analyst)
Leon Osman (former Everton midfielder, analyst)
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs quarterback)
Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports, sbnation.com
