Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance, scoring a sensational hat-trick as defending champions Argentina began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J.

The 38-year-old starred in Kansas City, scoring all three goals and reminding the football world why he is still one of the greatest players of all time.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a trademark left-footed strike before doubling Argentina’s advantage shortly after the hour mark. He completed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute, sparking celebrations among the Argentine supporters.

The remarkable performance saw Messi equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time men’s World Cup scoring record of 16 goals while becoming the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.

Argentina’s convincing win sends an early warning to the rest of the tournament as Lionel Scaloni’s side begin their title defence in emphatic fashion. With Messi leading from the front, the South Americans once again look like serious contenders for football’s biggest prize.