Defending champions Argentina kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Algeria on Tuesday evening at Kansas City Stadium.
The star of the match was Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who delivered a mind-boggling performance as he struck his first World Cup hat-trick to get his team’s campaign rolling on a rollicking note.
Messi, whose first goal was ruled out for offside, officially opened the scoring in the 17th minute. He immediately stole the spotlight with a poignant celebration. Messi was seen visibly emotional after finding the net. He would score two more goals in the 60th and 76th minute to complete the rout of Algeria.
With his superlative performance, Messi has equalled Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16 World Cup goals – an all-time World Cup record.
After the match, Messi clarified that his emotional celebration had nothing to do with becoming the World Cup’s joint-leading scorer or his feat of becoming the first player in history to feature in six World Cups.
“Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football,” Messi said after the match. “I went through some difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my teammates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it.”
Scaloni in awe of Messi
Meanwhile, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, under whose tutelage Argentina ended their 36-year wait for the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, was left searching for words after witnessing Messi equal Klose’s tally of 16 goals during the comprehensive win. For Scaloni, Messi’s impact continues to transcend statistics and age, becoming a defining presence both on and off the pitch.
“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible,” Scaloni told reporters in the post-match press conference. “It’s not about imagining [if he could have a start like this]. He’s been doing this for 20 years. People who watch football want to see him, it’s not just Argentines. Beyond the result, we have to enjoy him. What he transmits to the world is incredible. As long as Leo wants to, he’ll be the best; he’s been doing it every match for 20 years. It’s thrilling to watch him, for anyone who loves football. He’s something difficult to explain.”
Argentina will next face Austria on June 22. The Austrians opened their campaign with a magnificent 3-1 win over Jordan later on Tuesday.