Some nights you watch football. Other nights you watch history happen in real time. Argentina’s World Cup 2026 opener against Algeria in Kansas City was the second kind.
Final score: Argentina 3-0 Algeria. But the number everyone’s actually talking about this morning is 16, as in 16 World Cup goals for Lionel Messi, tying Germany legend Miroslav Klose for the most ever scored in the tournament’s history. And he didn’t need extra time or a penalty to get there. He needed one match and three different ways of doing it.
20 years of Messi
#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2026
How the hat-trick happened
In the 17th minute, Messi picked off an Algerian turnover, took a touch, and curled a shot into the top corner before the defense even realized he had the ball. No buildup, no fuss, just Messi being Messi.
The second came on the hour mark, and it was pure instinct. Alexis Mac Allister let one fly from distance, the keeper couldn’t hold onto it, and Messi was already moving toward the rebound before it even bounced. Tap in, goal number two.
The third one is the goal people will be replaying for years. A quick give-and-go with Mac Allister, a burst into space, and a low finish into the bottom corner that left the Algerian keeper rooted to the spot. That’s the goal that pulled him level with Klose.
Three minutes later, Lionel Scaloni brought him off. The whole stadium stood up. Even Messi looked a little surprised by his own night.
All three of Leo Messi’s goals in his first career FIFA World Cup hat trick pic.twitter.com/jb05ZWMrVU
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 17, 2026
Why this match mattered beyond the scoreline
This wasn’t just another big win for Argentina. It was Messi’s first ever World Cup hat-trick, coming on his 200th appearance for the national team, in a tournament where he became the first player in history to feature in six different World Cups. Add it up and he now has 24 goal contributions across his World Cup career, moving him past Pele’s longstanding mark of 21.
For a 38-year-old playing what’s widely expected to be his last World Cup, that’s not a bad way to open the account.
Algeria didn’t just roll over
Making their first World Cup appearance since 2014, Algeria actually held their own for stretches, controlling possession at times and pushing for a penalty that VAR eventually waved off. Riyad Mahrez came on in the second half looking for a moment of magic, but the service never quite arrived. They lost the game, but they didn’t lose the plot.
3 goals, 3 points, 1 Messi. #FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 17, 2026
What’s next
Argentina now turn their attention to Austria and Jordan in Group J, both matches set for North Texas, as they chase a feat only Italy and Brazil have managed before them: defending a World Cup title. On this evidence, they look every bit the team to do it.
But for one night in Kansas City, the story wasn’t really about the group table or the trophy defense. It was about a 38-year-old proving, again, why nobody’s quite ready to stop watching him play.