Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record as Argentina opened their 2026 campaign with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas. The 38-year-old now has 16 goals at World Cup tournaments, level with the German legend who set the mark at the 2014 finals.
Argentina were dominant from start to finish at Arrowhead Stadium, controlling possession and creating chances at will against an Algerian side that struggled to contain the defending champions. Messi converted a first-half penalty, added a second with a trademark left-footed finish, and completed his hat-trick after the break to seal all three points and write his name into the record books once again.
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Match Summary: Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Argentina set the tone from the first whistle. Lionel Scaloni's side pressed high, moved the ball quickly and pinned Algeria inside their own half for long stretches. The defending champions looked every bit the tournament favourites they were billed as before kickoff.
Algeria, managed by Vladimir Petkovic, set up in a compact 4-5-1 formation with the intention of frustrating Argentina and hitting on the counter. It was a sensible approach on paper but one that required near-perfect discipline to execute. For 25 minutes, Algeria held firm. Then the dam broke.
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after Julian Alvarez was brought down in the box by Aissa Mandi. The Inter Miami forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, rolling the ball into the bottom left corner with the kind of nonchalant confidence that has defined his career.
The second goal came 14 minutes later and it was vintage Messi. Receiving the ball on the right side of the penalty area, he shifted it onto his left foot with his first touch, created a yard of space with a subtle body feint, and curled a finish into the far corner that left Anthony Mandrea with no chance. It was the kind of goal Messi has scored hundreds of times in his career and yet it never stops being breathtaking.
Algeria started the second half with more intent. Ismael Bennacer forced a save from Emiliano Martinez with a long-range effort in the 52nd minute, and Riyad Mahrez had a half-chance from a free kick shortly after. But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the 68th minute when Messi completed his hat-trick.
Lautaro Martinez did the hard work, driving through the middle and sliding a perfectly weighted ball into Messi's path. The finish was clinical: a first-time left-footed strike across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. Hat-trick complete. Record equalled. Job done for Argentina.
The final statistics told the story of Argentina's dominance. Scaloni's side had 68% possession, attempted 19 shots to Algeria's 5, and put 8 of those on target. Algeria managed just 2 shots on target across the 90 minutes and never seriously threatened Martinez's goal.
Messi's Hat-Trick: All Three Goals
Goal 1 (27 minutes, penalty): Julian Alvarez twisted inside the box and was clipped by Aissa Mandi. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Messi stepped up, waited for Mandrea to commit, and slotted into the bottom left corner. It was his seventh World Cup penalty converted, more than any other player in tournament history.
Goal 2 (41 minutes, left foot): This was the goal that made the stadium gasp. Messi collected the ball on the right edge of the area, took one touch to shift it onto his favoured left foot, and bent a shot around the outstretched hand of Mandrea and into the far top corner. The curve, the precision and the sheer audacity of the finish were trademark Messi. Algeria's defenders knew what was coming and still could not stop it.
Goal 3 (68 minutes, left foot): Lautaro Martinez burst through the middle on the counter and found Messi with a perfectly weighted through-ball. One touch, left-footed finish, bottom corner. Mandrea got a hand to it but could not keep it out. The hat-trick was complete and so was the pursuit of Klose's record.
Messi's xG (expected goals) for the match was 2.4, meaning he outperformed his expected output by scoring three. His finishing was clinical and ruthless, the hallmark of a player who has spent two decades perfecting his craft on the biggest stage.
Equaling Klose: 16 World Cup Goals
Miroslav Klose scored 16 goals across four World Cups for Germany between 2002 and 2014, breaking Ronaldo's previous record of 15 in the semi-final against Brazil in 2014. For 12 years, Klose stood alone at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts. Now Messi stands beside him.
Messi's 16 goals have come across five tournaments: 2006 (1), 2010 (4 in 5 games before injury), 2014 (4 in 7 games), 2022 (4 in 7 games including two in the final) and now 2026 (3 in 1 game). The trajectory is remarkable. At 38 years old, Messi is scoring at a faster rate at World Cups than at any previous point in his career.
The debate about whether Messi or Klose deserves the record will rage among fans. Klose was a pure number 9, a penalty box predator who scored headers, tap-ins and close-range finishes. Messi is a different beast entirely. His goals come from deep runs, mazy dribbles, free kicks and now penalties. The variety of his finishing is unmatched.
What seems certain is that Messi will not stop at 16. Argentina have at least two more group games and potentially six more knockout matches if they go all the way to the final. At his current rate, Messi could finish the 2026 World Cup with 20 or more goals, a tally that might never be surpassed.
Only three other players have reached double figures in World Cup goals: Ronaldo (15), Gerd Muller (14) and Just Fontaine (13). Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice in France's opener against Senegal, sits on 14 at the age of 27 and is the only active player with a realistic chance of challenging Messi's eventual total.
Group J Standings After Matchday 1
Argentina sit top of Group J after the opening round of fixtures, level on points with Austria who beat debutants Jordan 3-1 in the other group match. Marko Arnautovic was among the scorers for Austria, who look likely to be Argentina's main challengers for top spot.
Group J Table (after Matchday 1):
1. Argentina: P1 W1 D0 L0 F3 A0 GD+3 Pts 3
2. Austria: P1 W1 D0 L0 F3 A1 GD+2 Pts 3
3. Jordan: P1 W0 D0 L1 F1 A3 GD-2 Pts 0
4. Algeria: P1 W0 D0 L1 F0 A3 GD-3 Pts 0
Argentina's superior goal difference puts them top on tiebreakers. Their next match is against Austria in what could decide who wins the group. Algeria face Jordan in a must-win match for both sides if they are to keep their knockout hopes alive.
Topping Group J would give Argentina a potentially easier path through the knockout stages. The runners-up could face a tougher last-32 opponent. Scaloni will be keen to maintain momentum and secure top spot with a game to spare.
What This Means for Argentina
Argentina could not have asked for a better start. A 3-0 win, a clean sheet, three points and a hat-trick for their captain who now shares the all-time World Cup scoring record. Scaloni's side sent a statement to every other team in the tournament: the defending champions are here to retain their crown.
The performance was about more than just Messi. Julian Alvarez was a constant threat with his movement and pressing. Lautaro Martinez provided the assist for the third goal and led the line superbly when he came on. The midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul controlled the tempo and won the possession battle comfortably.
Defensively, Argentina looked solid. Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi were rarely troubled. Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico provided width going forward without leaving gaps at the back. Emiliano Martinez had little to do but commanded his area well when called upon.
Scaloni will be pleased with the intensity his side maintained throughout the 90 minutes. There was no complacency, no drop-off after going 2-0 up. Argentina played with the hunger of a team that knows it has a chance to make history by becoming the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
The bench also offered encouragement. Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala and Giovani Lo Celso all came on in the second half and added quality. The depth at Scaloni's disposal is remarkable. Argentina can change their entire front line and barely drop in quality.
Algeria's Road Ahead Gets Harder
Algeria came into this tournament with quiet confidence. They topped their African qualifying group unbeaten and had won six of their last seven matches leading into the World Cup. But this was a reality check for Petkovic's side.
The Desert Warriors struggled to cope with Argentina's intensity and quality. Mahrez, their biggest threat, was largely anonymous. He touched the ball just 31 times across the 90 minutes and managed only one shot on target. Bennacer tried to drive his team forward from midfield but lacked support.
Defensively, Algeria looked organised for the first 25 minutes but collapsed once the first goal went in. Mandi's challenge for the penalty was reckless and avoidable. The back four was pulled apart by Argentina's movement off the ball. The midfield was overrun. It was a sobering evening.
Algeria can still qualify from the group. With Jordan up next, a win would give them 3 points and keep their hopes alive. The expanded 48-team format means four of the best third-placed teams also advance to the last 32, so even 3 points might be enough. But Petkovic needs to find a way to get Mahrez into the game and add more creativity to the midfield.
Messi's Father Health Situation
Messi's hat-trick came against the backdrop of a difficult personal moment. Jorge Messi, Lionel's father and agent, is currently dealing with what the family described as a "health-related situation." The family released a statement on June 18 asking for privacy.
Despite the concern, Messi delivered one of the great World Cup performances. He celebrated his first goal by pointing to the sky, his trademark tribute, and did not show any visible emotion beyond his usual focus. The hat-trick was a statement of intent both professionally and personally.
Argentina manager Scaloni confirmed after the match that Messi was fully focused on the tournament despite the family situation. "Leo is a professional. He knows what this means for the team and for the country," Scaloni said. "We support him and his family in this moment."
What's Next for Both Teams
Argentina face Austria in their second Group J match on June 23 in Dallas. A win would guarantee qualification for the last 32 and put Argentina on the verge of securing top spot. Scaloni may rotate his side to keep players fresh for the knockout rounds, but Messi will likely start given his pursuit of the outright scoring record.
Algeria face Jordan on the same day in Houston. Anything less than a win would likely end their tournament. Petkovic is expected to make tactical changes, possibly bringing in Said Benrahma for Mahrez or switching to a more attacking formation.
All Group J matches are available to follow live on iscore.ai. The platform provides real-time scores, live stats, possession tracking and minute-by-minute commentary for every game at the 2026 World Cup.
FAQ
How many World Cup goals does Lionel Messi have?
Lionel Messi has 16 World Cup goals, equaling Miroslav Klose's all-time tournament record. He achieved the mark with a hat-trick against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup in Kansas.
What was the Argentina vs Algeria score?
Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener at the 2026 World Cup, with Lionel Messi scoring all three goals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas.
Who held the all-time World Cup scoring record before Messi equalled it?
Miroslav Klose held the record alone at 16 goals since 2014. Messi drew level with the German after his hat-trick against Algeria on June 18, 2026.
Where can I follow Argentina's World Cup matches live?
Visit iscore.ai for real-time scores, live stats and minute-by-minute commentary for every Argentina match at the 2026 World Cup including all Group J fixtures.