The 2022 World Cup champion has officially begun his journey in the 2026 World Cup. The Kansas City Stadium hosted the match between Argentina and Algeria, where the Albiceleste secured a 3–0 victory powered by a brilliant performance from Lionel Messi.
It was an exciting and intense start to the match. Messi initially found the net in the 4th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In the 8th minute, Farès Chaïbi appeared to have scored for Algeria, but VAR review showed that he was also in an offside position. The deadlock was finally broken in the 17th minute with a spectacular strike, as Messi scored his 14th World Cup goal in his 200th international appearance.
In the second half, Messi continued his relentless pursuit of goals. He doubled Argentina’s lead in the 60th minute, and with the team already in control of the match, he completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a low left-footed finish. In the 80th minute, head coach Lionel Scaloni substituted him off to preserve the star player.
Argentina are grouped with Austria and Jordan, and their remaining group-stage matches will be played against these two teams.
