In a stunning display at the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi dazzled fans by scoring his first hat-trick in a World Cup, leading Argentina to a commanding 3-0 triumph over Algeria. This match was part of a thrilling day packed with goals and excitement throughout the tournament.
The legendary Argentine, at 38 and competing in his sixth World Cup, ignited the scoreboard in the 17th minute with a curling shot following a defensive blunder by Algeria. He doubled the lead at the 60-minute mark after capitalizing on a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister attempt and sealed the victory in the 76th minute with a low drive from outside the box.
This hat-trick brought Messi's World Cup goal tally to 16, equaling the men's all-time record previously held solo by Germany's Miroslav Klose.
The match took place at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with Argentina starting their title defense strongly, topping Group J with three points and a +3 goal difference.
Historic Achievements Continue for Messi
Messi remains the leading scorer for the Argentine national team in World Cups and stands out as the only player in tournament history to have scored in every stage: group matches, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.
Other Noteworthy Performances
The day wasn't solely about the maestro from Rosario. France demonstrated their strength with a 3-1 victory over Senegal at New York's MetLife Stadium, featuring two goals from Kylian Mbappé and a strike by Bradley Barcola, while Ibrahim Mbaye netted for Senegal.
Returning to the World Cup after 28 years, Norway impressed with a high-energy 4-1 win against Iraq at Boston's Gillette Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice in the 29th and 43rd minutes, with additional goals from Leo Østigård and an own goal in added time.
Austria added to the goal fest by defeating Jordan 3-1 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, thanks to goals from Schmid, Arnautović, and a Jordan own goal, placing them second in Group J with three points and a +2 goal difference.
Multimedios Deportes described the day as "a deluge of goals with electrifying matches at every turn."
Messi's Exceptional Form Continues
Entering this tournament in remarkable form, Messi has scored 12 goals in 14 MLS matches with Inter Miami in the 2026 season and was the top scorer in the South American qualifiers with eight goals.
Argentina's next challenge, as defending champions, will be on June 22 against Austria at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a clash that could determine the Group J leader and edge Messi closer to ultimate World Cup history.
Key Questions About Messi and the 2026 World Cup
How many World Cup goals has Messi scored?
Lionel Messi has scored 16 goals in World Cup competitions, tying him with Miroslav Klose for the men's record.
What was the outcome of Argentina's match against Algeria?
Argentina won the match against Algeria with a decisive 3-0 victory, led by a hat-trick from Lionel Messi.
Who were other standout players in the 2026 World Cup matches?
Kylian Mbappé of France and Erling Haaland of Norway were notable performers, with Mbappé scoring twice against Senegal and Haaland netting two goals against Iraq.