Messi scores hat-trick as Argentina defeats Algeria 3-0 in World Cup opener
10 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 4:34 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their World Cup opener on June 17 in Kansas City. This performance saw Messi tie Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup top-scorer with his 16th goal. The game began with both teams having goals disallowed for offside before Messi opened the scoring with a long-range strike in the 17th minute. He added another goal in the 60th minute followed by a third in the 76th minute, showcasing his skill throughout the match. Argentina looks to continue their success as they aim to become back-to-back World Cup champions.
- •Messi's three goals brought his total to 16 World Cup goals.
- •This match marked Messi's 200th international appearance and sixth World Cup.
- •Argentina seeks to replicate their success from the 2022 World Cup.
- •Algeria had a goal disallowed for offside early in the match.
- •The win positions Argentina favorably in their group ahead of future matches.
- 4:34 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi delivers one of his best World Cup performances yet against Algeria
- 4:09 AMBBC Sport — Highlights: Messi equals Klose scoring record with hat-trick against Algeria
- 3:40 AMCBS Sports — Lionel Messi ties record for most career World Cup goals with incredible hat trick for Argentina vs. Algeria
- 3:40 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi scores first career World Cup hat trick, ties all-time tournament goal record in win over Algeria
- 3:34 AMYahoo Sports — Lionel Messi makes incredible World Cup history after hat-trick against Algeria
- 3:17 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup: Messi ties Klose's record with hat-trick in Argentina's win over Algeria
- 3:09 AMYahoo Sports — Messi equals World Cup goalscoring record in Argentina romp
- 3:00 AMYahoo Sports — Messi hat-trick fires holders Argentina to win over Algeria at World Cup
"Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0.And he completed his first hat-trick at a World Cup with an unstoppable finish in the 76th minute.
"Lionel Messi is now tied with Miroslav Klose for having the most goals in World Cup history, as the Inter Miami talisman registered a hat-trick during their 3-0 opening win against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday. The Argentine…
"Lionel Messi ties Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup top-scorer with a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria. It was his first treble in the competition after he led La Albiceleste to th...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 4:34 AMLionel Messi delivers one of his best World Cup performances yet against Algeria
In front of a stadium full of Argentina supporters, Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat trick to tie Miroslav Klose's career goals record.
- BBC SportJun 17, 2026, 4:09 AMHighlights: Messi equals Klose scoring record with hat-trick against Algeria
Lionel Messi becomes the World Cup's joint-top all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick, as reigning champions Argentina begin their defence with a 3-1 win over Algeria.
- CBS SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:40 AMLionel Messi ties record for most career World Cup goals with incredible hat trick for Argentina vs. Algeria
Messi scored each of the goals in Argentina's first World Cup game since lifting the title in Qatar in 2022
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:40 AMLionel Messi scores first career World Cup hat trick, ties all-time tournament goal record in win over Algeria
Here's a look at Messi's stellar night, where two milestones were crossed off his list.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:34 AMLionel Messi makes incredible World Cup history after hat-trick against Algeria
Lionel Messi is now tied with Miroslav Klose for having the most goals in World Cup history, as the Inter Miami talisman registered a hat-trick during their 3-0 opening win against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday. The Argentine…
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:17 AMWorld Cup: Messi ties Klose's record with hat-trick in Argentina's win over Algeria
Lionel Messi ties Miroslav Klose as the all-time World Cup top-scorer with a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria. It was his first treble in the competition after he led La Albiceleste to th...
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:09 AMMessi equals World Cup goalscoring record in Argentina romp
Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0.And he completed his first hat-trick at a World Cup with an unstoppable finish in the 76th minute.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 3:00 AMMessi hat-trick fires holders Argentina to win over Algeria at World Cup
Argentina open defence of their World Cup crown with a Lionel Messi-inspired 3-0 win against Algeria in 2026 edition.
- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 2:59 AMLionel Messi's hat trick leads Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria in its World Cup opener
Miroslave Klose's record for most goals scored in the World Cup is about to get broken.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- MLS•Jun 17, 2026, 4:10 AMLionel Messi defies age, proves he's still the GOAT in record-setting night vs. Algeria
- MLS•Jun 17, 2026, 4:00 AMMessi salutes 'beautiful moment' after tying World Cup goals record
- Bundesliga•Jun 17, 2026, 4:00 AMBayern Munich News: FC Bayern could still have moves to make; FC Barcelona not chasing Lennart Karl; Real Madrid wants Felix Nmecha; and MORE!
- MLS•Jun 17, 2026, 3:45 AMSkip Bayless makes ‘bigger than Taylor Swift’ claim after Lionel Messi’s amazing World Cup hat-trick
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 17, 2026, 3:45 AMLionel Messi Gets 10/10 | Argentina Players Rated In Incredible 3-0 Win Against Algeria
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 17, 2026, 3:43 AMMessi, Mbappe, Haaland, Soar On An Unforgettable World Cup Tuesday
