Lionel Messi scores hat trick as Argentina defeats Algeria in Kansas City
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 AM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026
Lionel Messi starred in Kansas City, scoring a hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria during their first World Cup match on June 16, 2026. The historic game marked Kansas City's debut as a host city for the World Cup, drawing a crowd of 69,405. Messi's performance tied him with Miroslav Klose for most goals in World Cup history at 16. The event turned into a celebration of soccer, with exuberant fans filling the stadium and city streets, showcasing Argentina's colors. The World Cup atmosphere energized Kansas City as it welcomed international guests.
- •Messi scores three goals in the match against Algeria.
- •Argentina begins its World Cup title defense with a 3-0 victory.
- •69,405 fans attend Kansas City's first-ever World Cup game.
- •The match ties Messi with Klose for World Cup goals record.
- •Festivities in Kansas City highlight the global passion for soccer.
- 8:33 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi’s hat-trick brilliance offers redemption for Kansas City area’s World Cup commotion
- 8:41 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi, Argentina and the traveling circus come to town as Kansas City makes World Cup debut
"What else, besides sports? What else could provide a rollercoaster of emotions from frustration to ecstasy, from civic embarrassment to regional pride within a few hours? Consider Tuesday night’s World Cup match in Kansas City. As Lionel Messi, the consensus best soccer player alive, netted his third goal in the city’s inaugural World Cup game, […]
"This was supposed to be Kansas City's big night, making history as the city hosts a World Cup game for the first time, but Lionel Messi had to go and steal the show and make it all about himself.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 18, 2026, 8:33 AMLionel Messi’s hat-trick brilliance offers redemption for Kansas City area’s World Cup commotion
What else, besides sports? What else could provide a rollercoaster of emotions from frustration to ecstasy, from civic embarrassment to regional pride within a few hours? Consider Tuesday night’s World Cup match in Kansas City. As Lionel Messi, the consensus best soccer player alive, netted his third goal in the city’s inaugural World Cup game, […]
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 8:41 AMLionel Messi, Argentina and the traveling circus come to town as Kansas City makes World Cup debut
This was supposed to be Kansas City's big night, making history as the city hosts a World Cup game for the first time, but Lionel Messi had to go and steal the show and make it all about himself.
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