Lionel Messi delivered a breathtaking hat trick in the FIFA World Cup 2026, leading Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria. The 38 year old legend scored in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes, tying Miroslav Klose all time World Cup scoring record with 16 goals and cementing his legacy as football greatest.
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| Lionel Messi celebrates after firing Argentina ahead with a stunning long range strike against Algeria at GEHA Field, Kansas City FIFA World Cup. |
A Night Kansas City Will Never Forget
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has barely begun, but it has already produced one of the most extraordinary individual performances in the tournament 96 year history. At GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, in front of an attendance of 69,045 fans, Lionel Messi reminded the entire planet that, even at 38 years old, there is simply no one like him.
Argentina opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating Algeria 3-0 thanks to a sensational Lionel Messi hat trick. It was not just a football match it was a masterclass, a once in a generation spectacle, and a powerful statement by the defending champions that they are here to stay.
How the Goals Unfolded Minute by Minute
The 17th Minute A Long Range Screamer
Messi first goal came in the 17th minute a long range screamer that left the Algeria goalkeeper with no chance. The strike set the tone for an extraordinary evening. A trademark, mazy run was capped by a drive on the edge of the box from that famed left foot, and the power was too much for Algeria keeper Luca Zidane, son of World Cup winner with France, Zinedine.
The crowd, heavily packed with blue and white Argentina shirts, erupted. The greatest player in history had arrived on the grandest stage again.
The 60th Minute A Clinical Tap-In
Messi second goal, in the 60th minute, was a tap in clinical, composed, and utterly inevitable. By this point, Algeria were struggling to contain Argentina fluid passing movements, and Messi was lurking dangerously in every pocket of space.
The 76th Minute A Curling Masterpiece
The third and final goal came in the 76th minute an accurate, curled effort into the bottom corner that sealed the hat trick and sent the entire stadium into delirium. His substitution came just three minutes later to a standing ovation even the old maestro seemed disappointed to be removed.
History Written in Three Goals
First Ever World Cup Hat Trick for Messi
As remarkable as it seems, this was Lionel Messi first hat trick at a FIFA World Cup tournament. The man who has won everything the game has to offer eight Ballon d'Or awards, multiple Champions Leagues, a Copa America, and a FIFA World Cup had never before achieved this milestone on football biggest stage. On June 16, 2026, that changed forever.
Tying Klose All Time World Cup Scoring Record
Perhaps even more staggering than the hat trick itself was the record it brought with it. The goals took Messi to 16 World Cup goals, drawing level with Miroslav Klose for the all time record. Klose, Germany legendary striker, held that record for over a decade. Now, the Argentine genius stands shoulder to shoulder with him and with one more World Cup potentially ahead, could go beyond.
Surpassing Pelé in Goal Contributions
The records did not stop there. Messi brought up his 24th goal contribution at World Cups, surpassing Pelé record of 21 for the all time mark. In a single evening, Messi leapfrogged a Brazilian footballing deity a fact that would have seemed fictional just a few years ago.
His 200th Cap and Sixth World Cup
This performance came on Messi 200th appearance for Argentina, and also marked his status as the first man ever to appear in six World Cups. From Germany 2006 to USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 two decades of World Cup football, an entire generation shaped by one man genius.
His incredible trio of goals came 20 years to the day that Messi made his World Cup debut in a match against Serbia and Montenegro and he scored in that one, too.
Algeria Gallant But Outclassed
It would be unfair to reduce Algeria merely to victims of Messi brilliance. Algeria the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winners offered resistance, and were themselves denied an early goal when Fares Chaibi ninth minute strike was ruled out for offside.
However, the quality gap proved too wide to bridge. A team inspired by Messi at his absolute peak is a team that few in world football can truly match. Algeria efforts were respectable, but the night belonged entirely to Argentina and to one man above all.
Scaloni, Henry, and the World React
The reaction from footballing legends was immediate and overwhelming.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, a man not known for over the top statements, was left searching for words. "At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He incredible," Scaloni reflected after the match.
Thierry Henry, one of football all time greats himself, heaped praise on Messi hat trick heroics, summing up the feeling of millions when he said: "Leo is just different."
What This Means for Argentina Title Defence
Argentina arrive at the 2026 World Cup as defending champions, seeking to become only the third nation in history to retain the trophy after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962). Their opening night performance sent a thunderous message to every other contender.
Messi saw to it that there was no opening game upset a pointed reminder given that Argentina had lost their opening game at Qatar 2022 to Saudi Arabia before ultimately defeating France in the final. No such slip-up this time. Argentina were dominant, clinical, and led by a captain who appears, impossibly, to still be getting better.
With Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and a host of the world's elite players also competing in this tournament, the 2026 World Cup promises to be historic. But on the opening week defining night, there was only one man in the conversation.
The GOAT Debate Is It Even a Debate Anymore?
For years, football fans have debated whether Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the title of Greatest of All Time. That debate has grown quieter with each passing year, and after Tuesday night in Kansas City, it may be time to retire it entirely.
The argument that Messi is soccer GOAT the greatest of all time is becoming no argument at all with every match he plays. Six World Cups. 200 caps. A hat trick at 38. The all time record for World Cup goal contributions. The record for World Cup goals, shared with Klose for now.
History is not just being witnessed. It is being written, in real time, by a 38 year old man from Rosario, Argentina, who simply refuses to stop.