Defending champions Argentina got off to a flying start at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, helped by a magical performance from captain Lionel Messi.
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Defending champions Argentina got off to a flying start at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, helped by a magical display from captain Lionel Messi.
Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick at Kansas City Stadium and held on to lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria in their Group J match.
Argentina lead Algeria 1-0 at the end of the first half of their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Captain Lionel Messi scored in the 17th minute of the Group J match for the defending champions.
Messi's powerful shot from outside the Algerian penalty area turned into a beautiful goal. This was his 14th goal of the World Cup. In the match being held in Kansas City, Argentina and Algeria created a goal-scoring opportunity in the opening few minutes, but both teams were offside.
Lionel Messi for Argentina and Fares Chaibi for Algeria hit the post but were denied.
Argentina is currently facing Algeria in the much-awaited match of the 2026 World Cup. Defending champions Argentina will begin their journey in Group 'J' with this match.
The match to be held at the Kansas City Stadium will add a unique record to the name of Argentine captain Lionel Messi and that is, he will become the first player to play in the World Cup for the sixth time.
Messi has also won his two hundredth cap for Argentina. Therefore, this World Cup match is historic for him.
