Football · Kansas City
Messi hat-trick equals Klose record as Argentina open World Cup defence with 3-0 win over Algeria
Lionel Messi celebrated his 200th Argentina cap with a hat-trick that tied Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goal record, powering the defending champions past Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener in Kansas City.
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In brief
Lionel Messi scored three goals to reach 16 World Cup goals, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time record.
The defending champions comfortably beat Algeria in their Group J opener in Kansas City.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic surprisingly omitted captain Riyad Mahrez from the starting lineup in favour of a pressing system.
No team has retained the World Cup since Brazil in 1962; Argentina's opening win keeps that possibility alive.
The match marked Messi's 200th appearance for Argentina, making him the first player to feature in six World Cups.
- 17 Jun17' — Messi opens the scoring (1-0)
- 17 Jun60' — Messi doubles the lead from a rebound (2-0)
- 17 Jun76' — Messi completes hat-trick, equalling Klose's record (3-0)
Opening exchanges
Both sides had goals disallowed for offside in a frenetic start. Messi was ruled offside in the fifth minute after finishing a Lautaro Martinez pass, and Algeria's Farès Chaibi saw his effort chalked off minutes later.
Messi opens his account
Rodrigo De Paul sliced a vertical pass to Messi, who advanced and fired past a hesitant Luca Zidane in the 17th minute. The goal was Messi's 14th in World Cup play and marked his 200th appearance for Argentina.
Second-half control and the record
Alexis Mac Allister's long-range shot was parried by Zidane, and Messi pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0 on the hour. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a crisp strike into the corner, matching Miroslav Klose's 16-goal World Cup benchmark.
Algeria's struggles and Petkovic's choices
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic left captain Riyad Mahrez on the bench, opting for a pressing 4-4-2 that initially unsettled Argentina. After the early disallowed goal, the Fennecs failed to sustain pressure and rarely threatened Emiliano Martinez's goal.
Historical significance
Argentina became the first defending champion to win an opening World Cup match since Brazil did so in 1962. No nation has retained the trophy in 64 years. With three points, they top Group J ahead of Austria and Jordan.
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Sources and context
- RTBFCoupe du monde 2026 : un triplé de Messi face à l'Algérie et l'Argentine entame bien la défense de son titre - RTBF Actus
- 7sur7L'Argentine ne fait qu'une bouchée de l'Algérie, Lionel Messi s'offre un triplé et entre dans la légende
- RFICoupe du monde 2026: Lionel Messi assomme l'Algérie
- France 24Coupe du monde : l'Argentine et Messi tout simplement trop forts pour l'Algérie
- Lionel Messi
- Argentina captain and forward, scored a hat-trick on his 200th international appearance to equal Miroslav Klose's World Cup goals record.
- Miroslav Klose
- Former Germany striker whose record of 16 World Cup goals was equalled by Messi.
- Rodrigo De Paul
- Argentine midfielder who assisted Messi's opening goal.
- Luca Zidane
- Algeria goalkeeper, son of Zinedine Zidane, conceded three goals.
- Farès Chaibi
- Algerian forward who had an early goal disallowed for offside.
- Lautaro Martinez
- Argentine striker who provided the pass for Messi's disallowed goal and tested Zidane in the second half.
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Argentine midfielder whose long-range shot led to Messi's second goal.
- Riyad Mahrez
- Algeria captain, left out of the starting lineup by coach Petkovic.
- Vladimir Petkovic
- Swiss coach of Algeria who opted for a pressing system without Mahrez.
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