Messi Scores First World Cup Hat-Trick To Equal All-Time Scoring Record In Argentina Win

Argentina opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, with Lionel Messi at the heart of everything.

The 38-year-old became the first player in history to appear at six World Cups, beating rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the landmark by a single day.

It was exactly twenty years after his World Cup debut as an 18-year-old at Germany 2006, and Messi marked the occasion with his 200th international appearance for his country.

His hat-trick took him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup finals scoring chart, with 16 goals in total.

The evening began with early drama when Messi raced clear inside four minutes, only for an offside flag to rule out what would have been a stunning opener against Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

Messi’s first goal arrived in the 18th minute, when he shifted on to his left foot from 25 yards and curled a superb effort towards the top-right corner that Zidane could not keep out.

After 60 minutes, a costly error from Zidane allowed the ball to roll into Messi’s path, and he finished with typical composure to move to 15 World Cup goals, becoming the oldest player to score two goals at the tournament.

Substitute Nico Gonzalez then teed up Messi in the 76th minute to complete the hat-trick, sending Kansas City Stadium into a frenzy of noise and celebration.

Since turning 35, Messi has scored 10 World Cup goals, more than Harry Kane, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Thierry Henry have each scored across their entire international careers.

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, watching on, said: “Messi is celebrating like it’s his first World Cup goal. With the ability he has, he never seems to age. It’s a brilliant ball into his feet and, as you’d expect, he finishes it superbly.”

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni reflected on the performance afterwards, saying: “I don’t have the words to describe Messi. For 20 years, he’s had us used to seeing things like this and he inspires everyone who watches him play.”

Messi himself was emotional after the final whistle, speaking warmly about the atmosphere created by travelling Argentina supporters who packed out the stadium in Kansas City.

“I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this – we packed the stadium again,” he said.

He also reflected on what this World Cup means to him personally at this stage of his career, adding: “Everything I’m experiencing now is a bonus. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve all my dreams — or even more than I ever dreamed of achieving — both professionally and personally.”

Well after the final whistle, thousands of Argentina supporters remained inside the stadium, with drums beating and chants ringing around the venue long into the night.

Even Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the stadium’s usual headline act, watched on like everyone else, captivated by what he was witnessing.

On a night already lit up by two goals each from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland elsewhere, Messi still found a way to steal every headline.

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