Argentina captain Lionel Messi delivered a breathtaking performance in the opening match of Group J at the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring a spectacular hat-trick to lead the defending champions to a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria. The momentous game, played on the morning of June 17, saw Messi achieve his first-ever hat-trick in a World Cup tournament, further cementing his legendary status.
The three crucial goals, expertly converted through Messi’s prowess with Inter Miami, came in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes, securing a comfortable win for Argentina in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Beyond the immediate victory, Messi’s prolific scoring spree remarkably rewrote several significant records in World Cup history.
With this trio of goals, Messi reached an astounding total of 16 career World Cup goals. This achievement places him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in the FIFA World Cup, a record Klose previously held solely. Given his current form and the ongoing tournament, Messi is now poised to potentially surpass this historic benchmark.
Furthermore, the 38-year-old Argentine icon etched his name into the annals of history by becoming only the second player, after Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments. His remarkable scoring streak spans from 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026. This hat-trick also earned Messi the distinction of being the oldest player in World Cup history to score three goals in a single match, surpassing a record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi’s influence extends far beyond mere goal-scoring. He has now contributed to an astonishing 24 goals in the World Cup, comprising 16 goals and 8 assists. This incredible record for combined goals and assists at the international tournament remains unmatched by any other player.
Argentina’s commanding victory provisionally places them at the top of Group J. In another Group J fixture played on the same morning, Austria secured a 3-1 win over Jordan. While Messi continues to set new benchmarks, the race for top scorer remains dynamic, with French striker Kylian Mbappé close behind with 14 goals, and Brazilian legend Ronaldo having netted 15 goals in his World Cup career.
