Messi hat-trick equals goalscoring record as Argentina beat Algeria

The Group J opening game saw the 39-year-old mark his 200th cap for his country in style

FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Algeria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - Jun 16, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi scores their third goal to complete a hat-trick IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jay Biggerstaff

Lionel Messi earned a spot in the World Cup history books with a hat-trick that saw Argentina begin the defence of their title with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Algeria on Tuesday.

Messi became the tournament’s joint all-time leading scorer as he advanced to a total of 16 goals, equalling the record held by Miroslav Klose of Germany.

The opening game in Group J saw another masterclass from the Argentina captain, who turns 39 later this month and was marking his 200th cap for his country as he became the first player to compete at six World Cups.

He got his goalscoring spree underway with a 17th-minute strike from the edge of the penalty area, followed by a tap-in on the hour mark, and the hat-trick was completed in the 76th minute with a precise shot into the corner of the net.