Messi scores hat-trick as Argentina leads Algeria 3-0 in group stage
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 5:59 AM
Last updated Jun 17, 2026
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 group-stage victory over Algeria on June 16 at Kansas City Stadium. This performance tied him with Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer. Messi opened his scoring with help from teammate Rodrigo De Paul, showcasing skill that has kept him at the top for years. After the match, Messi downplayed the significance of reaching the record, highlighting his focus on team success rather than individual accolades. Argentina is now poised to advance to the knockout stage.
- •Messi scored three goals, equaling Klose's World Cup scoring record.
- •Argentina's win brings them closer to knockout stage qualification.
- •Rodrigo De Paul assisted on Messi’s first goal.
- •Messi scored his first World Cup goal 20 years ago to the day.
- •Over 70,000 fans attended the match, cheering Messi's performance.
- 5:59 AMYahoo Sports — What happened on a historic night for Argentina? ‘Messi things’
- 5:59 AMThe Guardian Sport — What happened on a historic night for Argentina? ‘Messi things’ | Pablo Iglesias Maurer
"A hat-trick against Algeria equalled Miroslav Klose’s World Cup scoring record, but Messi and his teammates insist the mark doesn’t matter to him World Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the app Long after the dust had settled on Argentina’s 3-0 group-stage victory over Algeria on Tuesday night, Algeria and Bayern Munich midfielder Ibrahim Maza wearily emerged from behind a curtain and stepped up to the microphone. Maza had played well, even assisting on Algeria’s disallowed first goal. He’d also had a front row seat to a Lionel Messi masterclass, just a few yards away from Argentina’s captain when he scored his third goal of the evening and tied Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer. In short order, he was asked to expand on what made Messi unplayable on Tuesday evening. Continue reading...
"A hat-trick against Algeria equalled Miroslav Klose’s World Cup scoring record, but Messi and his teammates insist the mark doesn’t matter to him
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 17, 2026, 5:59 AMWhat happened on a historic night for Argentina? ‘Messi things’
A hat-trick against Algeria equalled Miroslav Klose’s World Cup scoring record, but Messi and his teammates insist the mark doesn’t matter to him
- The Guardian SportJun 17, 2026, 5:59 AMWhat happened on a historic night for Argentina? ‘Messi things’ | Pablo Iglesias Maurer
A hat-trick against Algeria equalled Miroslav Klose’s World Cup scoring record, but Messi and his teammates insist the mark doesn’t matter to him World Cup newsletter | Daily podcast | Download the app Long after the dust had settled on Argentina’s 3-0 group-stage victory over Algeria on Tuesday night, Algeria and Bayern Munich midfielder Ibrahim Maza wearily emerged from behind a curtain and stepped up to the microphone. Maza had played well, even assisting on Algeria’s disallowed first goal. He’d also had a front row seat to a Lionel Messi masterclass, just a few yards away from Argentina’s captain when he scored his third goal of the evening and tied Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer. In short order, he was asked to expand on what made Messi unplayable on Tuesday evening. Continue reading...
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