Defending champions Argentina could not have asked for a better start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. Inspired by a brilliant Lionel Messi performance, La Albiceleste defeated Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City to open their title defence in style.

The night belonged entirely to Messi. The Argentina captain scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his legendary career, adding yet another milestone to an already remarkable international résumé. The victory also marked his 200th appearance for Argentina, making the occasion even more memorable.

Messi Makes More World Cup History

At 38, Messi continues to rewrite football history. His three goals came in different fashions, showcasing every aspect of his game. He opened the scoring with a powerful strike from outside the box, added a poacher’s finish in the second half, and completed his hat-trick with a composed team move late in the match.

The performance made Messi one of the few players in history to score in five different World Cups and further strengthened his position among the greatest players the tournament has ever seen.

After being substituted near the end of the game, the Argentine superstar received a standing ovation from the crowd in Kansas City.

Argentina Dominate From Start to Finish

Although Algeria briefly threatened when they had an early goal ruled out for offside following a VAR review, Argentina quickly took control of the contest.

Lionel Scaloni’s side dominated possession and moved the ball with their usual rhythm and precision. Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández dictated the tempo, while the defending champions looked comfortable throughout the evening.

Argentina’s defensive organisation also impressed, allowing Algeria very few opportunities to trouble goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

Algeria Unable to Cause an Upset

Algeria entered the tournament hoping to produce an early surprise against one of the favourites for the title. However, they struggled to cope with Argentina’s movement and technical quality.

The North Africans adopted a cautious approach and created only a handful of chances. Their inability to keep possession for long periods allowed Argentina to maintain control and steadily increase their advantage.

Despite the disappointing result, Algeria still have opportunities to recover in Group J, where every point will be crucial in the race for the knockout stages.

Perfect Start to Argentina’s Title Defence

Argentina arrived at the tournament aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a World Cup title. Their opening performance will only strengthen belief that they can go deep into the competition once again.

The combination of experienced leaders and a talented supporting cast makes Lionel Scaloni’s side one of the most complete teams in the tournament. With Messi still producing moments of magic, Argentina look every bit like genuine contenders for another world title.

For now, though, the spotlight belongs to their captain.

On a night filled with records and emotion, Lionel Messi delivered another unforgettable chapter in his extraordinary career, guiding Argentina to a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria and launching their World Cup defence in perfect fashion.