Defending champions Argentina launched their FIFA World Cup title defence in emphatic fashion as a vintage performance from captain Lionel Messi inspired a 3-0 victory over Algeria National Football Team in their Group J opener.
On a night filled with milestones, records and emotion, the 38-year-old produced the first World Cup hat-trick of his illustrious career, drawing level with Miroslav Klose as the leading scorer in men’s World Cup history with 16 goals.
Argentina entered the tournament carrying the burden of defending the trophy they won in Qatar, but any concerns over their readiness quickly evaporated as Messi once again demonstrated why he remains football’s most enduring icon.
The evening nearly began dramatically when both teams had first-half goals ruled out for offside during an open and energetic start. Algeria thought they had stunned the South Americans through an early strike, while Messi also saw an effort chalked off after a VAR review.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 17th minute.
Receiving possession outside the area, Messi shifted the ball onto his favoured left foot before unleashing a precise strike beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane. The goal sparked wild celebrations inside Kansas City Stadium and marked another landmark moment in a World Cup journey that began exactly two decades earlier.
That strike carried special significance.
Messi’s first World Cup goal came against Serbia and Montenegro on June 16, 2006. Twenty years later, on the same date, he found the net again to establish the longest span between a player’s first and latest World Cup goals in tournament history.
Algeria responded courageously and enjoyed lengthy spells of possession, but they struggled to turn territorial control into meaningful opportunities against Argentina’s disciplined defensive structure.
The African side’s hopes of mounting a comeback suffered another blow shortly after the hour mark.
In the 60th minute, an Argentine effort was parried by Zidane, but the rebound fell kindly for Messi, who reacted quickest to delicately lift the ball into the net and double Argentina’s advantage.
The goal not only placed Argentina firmly in command but also moved Messi past Ronaldo Nazário on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Then came the moment that completed another chapter in football history.
With 14 minutes remaining, Messi collected a pass near the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a trademark left-footed finish into the corner to complete his hat-trick and send the Argentine supporters into delirium.