Messi had an early finish ruled out for offside against Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane and linked play with Thiago Almada and Rodrigo De Paul before opening the scoring. His first strike was Argentina's first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
MESSI SCORES ARGENTINA'S FIRST GOAL OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/JyNwqGCaFU
In the second half, Messi played a pass that led to a Lautaro Martinez chance. On the hour mark he added his second after a goalkeeping error, then completed the hat trick with a finish whipped into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
IT'S A LIONEL MESSI BRACE IN THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/UySEduMBpo
FIFA WORLD CUP HAT TRICK FOR MESSI! 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi ties Miroslav Klose for the most goals in Men's FIFA World Cup history with 16 🐐 pic.twitter.com/vw6bl65w7s
At 38 years, 357 days, Messi became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals at a FIFA World Cup match.
Lionel Messi became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals at a #FIFAWorldCup match at 38 years, 357 days 😮💨 Just check out this hat-trick... pic.twitter.com/HZT8Oc2j9H
Controversial challenge on Mandi
Between his first and second goals, Messi caught Algeria captain Aissa Mandi on his right calf and Achilles tendon with a studs up lunge while Mandi was in control of the ball. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a free kick, but the challenge could have earned at least a yellow card and plausibly a red.
Luca Zidane's difficult debut
Luca Zidane, 28 is the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane and plays goalkeeper for Algeria. He played for France at youth level before switching to Algeria last year, with Africa Cup of Nations performances under coach Vladimir Petkovic helping convince fans the move was genuine.
Zidane suffered a broken jaw in the spring and wore a mask for his World Cup debut. Messi's first goal swerved in the air and he could have got a stronger hand to it. His error led to Messi's second. He had little chance on the third.
Argentina's group path
This is the third time Argentina have entered the World Cup as defending champions. They avoided defeat in their opening game as holders for the first time, after losses to Belgium in 1982 and Cameroon in 1990. With Brazil and Spain among the favorites who started unconvincingly, coach Lionel Scaloni will take plenty from the performance.
Argentina's remaining group games are against Austria and Jordan. Algeria face Jordan next.
- Argentina vs Austria: 1pm ET (6pm BST), Dallas
- Algeria vs Jordan: 11pm ET (4am+1 BST), San Francisco
- If Argentina or Algeria win the group, they will play the Group H runner up in Miami on July 3
- If Argentina or Algeria finish second in the group, they will play the Group H winner in Los Angeles on July 2
- If Argentina or Algeria advance as a third place team, they will play a group winner from Group B, D, G, K or L in Atlanta, Kansas City, San Francisco, Seattle or Vancouver
