Messi Scores Hat Trick as Argentina Cruises Past Algeria 3-0 in World Cup Opener
Argentina opened its 2026 World Cup group-stage campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria. The defending world champions controlled the match and had little trouble securing all three points.
Lionel Messi scored all three goals, delivering a hat trick in Argentina's first game of the tournament. After his third goal, he was substituted.
The performance also carried a historical milestone for Messi. With the treble, he drew level with Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring chart.
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