KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Lionel Messi delivered a breathtaking three-goal performance Tuesday evening, tying the all-time World Cup scoring record and silencing any doubters about the 38-year-old’s ability to still dominate the world’s biggest stage, as Argentina cruised past Algeria 3-0 in Group J action.
With those three goals, Messi drew even with Germany’s Miroslav Klose at 16 career World Cup goals. He also claimed the title of oldest player to ever score a hat-trick at a World Cup — and remarkably, the milestone came exactly 20 years to the day after he scored his very first goal at the tournament.
Tuesday’s match at Kansas City Stadium was also Messi’s 200th international appearance for Argentina, and it marked his participation in a sixth World Cup — a feat no other player has ever accomplished. He turns 39 later this month.
The Argentina captain nearly gave the crowd something to cheer about within the first five minutes, but an early goal was called back for offside. Algeria also had a potential goal disallowed on the same grounds shortly after.
Messi’s first legitimate goal came in the 17th minute, set up by a perfectly threaded through ball from Rodrigo De Paul that split Algeria’s defensive line. Messi charged forward and unleashed a powerful shot from roughly 25 yards out that grazed the fingertips of goalkeeper Luca Zidane — son of French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane, who was watching from the stands — and found the top-right corner of the net.
His second goal arrived in the 60th minute under more fortunate circumstances. Alexis Mac Allister launched a low shot from distance that Zidane mishandled badly, the ball bouncing off the goalkeeper’s chest and falling perfectly for Messi, who calmly slotted it home.
Messi came close to completing the hat-trick just minutes later, but Zidane recovered to push that attempt over the crossbar. He would not be denied, however, finding the net again in the 76th minute with another powerful strike after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.
Algeria fans called for a red card when Messi appeared to step on defender Aissa Mandi’s calf in the first half, but no disciplinary action was taken.
Mac Allister was effusive in his praise of his captain following the victory. “There are no words to describe it,” he said. “I think if anyone thought this team was better without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important player of all. And that we have to build a team around him, where he feels comfortable.”
Mandi himself acknowledged the difficulty of trying to contain Messi. “What makes the difference is they have a player who doesn’t forgive,” the Algerian defender said. “Almost every chance ends up in the back of the net. He’s a player, maybe the best player of all time, so that’s his efficiency, and it’s formidable. We knew it, we tried to limit him as much as possible, but it didn’t work.”
Argentina entered the tournament with some uncertainty hanging over the squad. Their previous two World Cup campaigns had opened with a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and a frustrating draw with Iceland four years before that. There were also questions about whether coach Lionel Scaloni’s side had been adequately tested, given that they had gone years without facing European competition before a 3-0 friendly win over Iceland just last week.
Tuesday’s performance appeared to put those concerns to rest. Mac Allister reflected on the importance of the strong opening result: “While we had the experience of the last World Cup, where we started, perhaps not in the best way, and ended up winning, we know how important it is to start with a win, to gain confidence.”
Argentina now aims to become the first men’s national team to successfully defend a World Cup title since Brazil accomplished the feat in 1962. Their next match is Monday against Austria in Arlington, Texas. Algeria will also play Monday, taking on Jordan in Santa Clara, California.
