World Cup 2026 Corner: Messi's Hattrick Helped Argentina Beat Algeria
Lionel Messi continues to prove that he remains one of the best players in world football after producing a stunning hat-trick to inspire Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Not only did his goals secure all three points for La Albiceleste, but they also etched his name further into the tournament's history books.
Messi's Hat-Trick Sinks Algeria and Equals Klose's Record
The defending World Cup champions entered the tournament determined to show they were not merely participating, but fully focused on defending their title.
Argentina immediately adopted an attacking approach as they searched for an early breakthrough against a determined Algerian side.
However, Algeria were far from overawed by the occasion. Riyad Mahrez and company looked eager to prove they belonged on the biggest stage, and both teams saw goals ruled out for offside during an entertaining opening period.
Eventually, it was Lionel Messi who made the difference.
The Argentine captain opened the scoring in the 17th minute with one of his trademark curling efforts from just outside the penalty area, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
La Albiceleste continued to press after halftime and were rewarded shortly after the hour mark. Messi doubled Argentina's advantage with a composed close-range finish using his right foot.
The Inter Miami superstar completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, producing another moment of brilliance with a perfectly placed strike from outside the box.
Messi's remarkable performance carried even greater significance as it saw him equal Miroslav Klose's all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
The hat-trick also marked the 38-year-old's first-ever World Cup hat-trick and made him the oldest player in tournament history to achieve the feat. At 38 years and 357 days old, Messi surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo's previous record, which had been set at 33 years and 130 days.
Argentina's convincing victory puts the reigning champions in an excellent position to advance from the group stage, while Algeria now face increased pressure in their remaining fixtures.
Match Notes
Argentina
- La Albiceleste produced a solid overall performance, although much of their attacking threat still revolved around Messi's brilliance.
- Argentina must continue improving both their attacking fluidity and defensive organization as they prepare for the remaining group-stage challenges.
Algeria
- Algeria started the match brightly but appeared to lose momentum and confidence after conceding the opening goal.
- The Desert Warriors need to maintain their focus and belief throughout the entire match, especially in their remaining group fixtures.
Match Statistics
Argentina 3 – 0 Algeria
Goals: Messi 17', 63', 76'
| Stat | Argentina | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Total Shots (On Target) | 19 (10) | 11 (3) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 2.84 | 0.96 |
| Dangerous Attacks | 58 | 34 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
*Statistics are based on match reports and may be subject to minor revisions.
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