Kha Y Tran Argentina started their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a strong 3-0 win over Algeria. Lionel Messi was the star of the match. He scored all three goals and helped the defending champions collect an important three points.
The 38-year-old forward showed that he still has world-class quality. Throughout the match, he created chances, controlled the attack, and finished his opportunities with confidence.
As a result, Argentina moved to the top of Group J and sent a clear message to the rest of the tournament.
Watch the match highlights at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH_WRKTCPK4
Argentina Start Fast
Argentina attacked from the first minute. They pressed high and kept possession of the ball.
In the fifth minute, Messi thought he had opened the scoring. Lautaro Martinez played a smart pass into the box, and Messi finished calmly. However, the assistant referee raised the flag for offside.
A few minutes later, Algeria also had a goal ruled out. Fares Chaibi found the net after a pass from Ibrahim Maza. However, VAR confirmed that Chaibi was offside.
Therefore, both teams saw early goals disallowed.
Even so, Argentina remained in control. They passed the ball well and continued to push forward.
Messi Opens the Scoring
Argentina finally broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.
Rodrigo De Paul spotted Messi in space and delivered a long pass. Messi controlled the ball well before firing a powerful shot from outside the box.
The ball flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.
As a result, Argentina took a deserved 1-0 lead.
After the goal, Argentina continued to dominate possession. Meanwhile, Algeria struggled to create clear chances.
The South American side looked comfortable and confident. They controlled the pace of the game and rarely allowed Algeria to threaten their goal.
Argentina Stay in Control
The defending champions carried their momentum into the second half.
They continued to move the ball quickly and patiently. In addition, their midfield won most of the battles in the center of the pitch.
Algeria tried to push forward. However, Argentina’s defense stayed organized and strong.
Every time Algeria gained possession, Argentina quickly won it back. As a result, the African side found it difficult to build attacks.
Meanwhile, Messi continued to cause problems for the defense with his movement and passing.
Messi Scores Again
Argentina doubled their lead in the 60th minute.
Alexis Mac Allister struck a powerful shot from long range. The Algerian goalkeeper failed to hold the ball cleanly.
Messi reacted first. He reached the rebound and tapped the ball into the net.
Consequently, Argentina moved 2-0 ahead.
The goal gave the world champions even more confidence. At the same time, it made Algeria’s task much harder.
Argentina continued to control the match. They kept possession and limited Algeria’s attacking opportunities.
A Brilliant Hat-Trick
Messi completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute.
The move began with a quick counterattack. Messi started the play before combining neatly with Nicolas Gonzalez.
He then received the ball near the edge of the penalty area. With space in front of him, Messi placed a low shot into the corner.
The goalkeeper had no chance.
As a result, Argentina increased their lead to 3-0.
The goal capped a brilliant performance from the Argentine captain. It also confirmed his place as the best player on the pitch.
Messi Reaches Another Milestone
The hat-trick was important for more than just the result.
With three goals in the match, Messi reached 16 World Cup goals in his career. Therefore, he matched the record set by German legend Miroslav Klose.
This achievement added even more significance to an already memorable night.
Furthermore, it showed that Messi remains one of the most dangerous players in world football.
Despite his age, he continues to deliver in the biggest matches.
Argentina Look Ready to Defend Their Title
The performance against Algeria gave fans many reasons to be excited.
First, Argentina looked sharp in attack. Second, their midfield controlled the game. Finally, their defense kept a clean sheet.
In addition, several players delivered strong performances alongside Messi.
Rodrigo De Paul provided energy and creativity. Alexis Mac Allister controlled the midfield. Meanwhile, the defense stayed solid throughout the match.
Because of this, Argentina look ready for the challenges ahead.
If they continue to play at this level, they will be one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Algeria Must Improve
Although Algeria worked hard, they struggled against a stronger opponent.
They had some positive moments early in the game. However, they could not keep possession for long periods.
In addition, they found it difficult to stop Argentina’s attacking players.
The team will now focus on their next group-stage match. They need a better result if they want to stay in the race for qualification.
Match Summary
Final Score: Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Goals:
- 17′: Messi
- 60′: Messi
- 76′: Messi
Key Highlights
- Messi scored a superb hat-trick.
- Argentina won their opening match comfortably.
- Algeria had an early goal ruled out by VAR.
- Messi matched Miroslav Klose’s World Cup scoring record.
- Argentina moved to the top of Group J.
In the end, Argentina delivered a complete performance. They controlled the game from start to finish. Above all, Lionel Messi stole the show. His hat-trick helped the defending champions begin World Cup 2026 in perfect fashion.
Read more: World Cup 2026: Full Schedule Guide
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