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, thanks to a magical performance from captain Lionel Messi. Messi scored a brilliant hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J match at Kansas City Stadium.
With this, Argentina remained top of the group with three points. Messi scored a goal in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes. Messi's powerful shot from outside the Algerian penalty area was converted into the first goal.
Alex McAllister's opening shot was saved by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, but Messi scored the second goal on the rebound. Messi's shot from just outside the Algerian penalty area was converted into the third goal.
With this, Messi's number of goals scored in the World Cup has reached 16 and he has equaled the record of the most goals in the name of Germany's Miroslav Klose . Messi won his 200th cap for Argentina in this match . He also became the first player to play in his sixth World Cup .
