Lionel Messi scores hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria in World Cup opener

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup 2026 Group J match on June 16 in Kansas City, Missouri. Messi's three goals allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose's record as the all-time World Cup goalscorer with 16 goals. Erling Haaland praised Messi's performance on social media, calling him a 'madman,' while Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni expressed that he was 'speechless' over Messi's talents. Argentina's next match is against Austria on June 19.

• 7:04 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Lionel Messi is a madman’ – Erling Haaland blown away by Barcelona legend’s World Cup hat-trick and Lionel Scaloni left ‘speechless’