Lionel Messi announced his intent to the football world in emphatic fashion, scoring a breathtaking hat-trick as Argentina crushed Algeria 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J opener at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas, attended by 69,045 fans.

The treble was Messi's first hat-trick at a World Cup — his 61st across his entire career — and it moved the 38-year-old level with Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 all-time World Cup goals. He also became the oldest player to score more than once in a single World Cup match, eclipsing the record previously held by Cameroon's Roger Milla.

A display for the ages

From first whistle to final ovation, Messi was the undisputed protagonist. Razor-sharp and relentless, he operated on a different plane to every other player on the pitch. Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul all contributed meaningfully, but this was unambiguously Messi's night.

The opening goal was crafted by De Paul, who threaded a precise through ball into the pocket for Messi to receive. He composed himself and guided a clean finish past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane — son of France icon Zinedine Zidane.

The second arrived early in the second half. Mac Allister's attempt was parried by the goalkeeper, and Messi reacted first to tap home the rebound. The third was perhaps the finest of the three — a low, bending effort from the edge of the area that curled into the corner and prompted the stadium to erupt.

Messi departed the pitch to a standing ovation from a crowd that was overwhelmingly behind Argentina. Even Algeria supporters inside the stadium were able to say they had witnessed greatness at close range.

A date with history, 20 years on

The occasion carried an added layer of symbolism: the three goals arrived exactly 20 years after Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina against Serbia and Montenegro — a match in which he also scored.

With the defending champions up and running in dominant style, the rest of Group J will be well aware of what awaits them.