Report, result and goals as Messi makes history with a hat-trick in the World Cup

Lionel Messi proved that he is still among the greatest players in the world with an amazing performance during his debut at the 2026 World Cup.

During his 200th World Cup match, Argentina’s captain produced a stunning hat-trick to destroy Algeria and equaled Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in World Cup history.

Algeria, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, gave a better account in the first half than they could have managed.

But in the end, Messi’s class and the relentless machinations of Lionel Scaloni’s defenders proved too much.

Offside drama unleashes Messi’s magic

The opening stages provided drama at both ends before the ball crossed either goal line. On six minutes, Lautaro Martinez dived into Messi’s path and the captain finished at the near post – only for the linesman’s flag to cut the celebrations dead, with offside in the build-up.

Two minutes later, Algeria scored their own goal, with Chaibi’s brilliant finish only to be adjudged offside after Maza’s well-weighted ball crossed the line.

It was Messi, of course, who broke the deadlock. On 17 minutes, De Paul split the Algerian defense with a through ball, and Messi only needed a touch to set himself up before firing a left-footed shot into the far corner.

Although the goalkeeper Luca Zidane caught it with his hand, the power of the shot put it in the net.

Argentina spent the remainder of the game dominating the game, making 107 passes in the opposition’s half compared to 41 for Algeria.

Scloni’s side would never allow the Fennecs to breathe. The half-time whistle came with the champions having scored one goal and the result seemed inevitable.

Messi makes history – twice

The second half did not last 15 minutes before Messi finished the contest. Mac Allister’s powerful long-range strike was fed by Zidane but spilled into the danger zone, Aissa Mandi failing to catch the offside trap.

Messi stepped up to slide a curled finish into the bottom corner. Two goals in his 200th game, as well as his 15th World Cup strike – he moved past Kylian Mbappe’s record set just hours earlier in New Jersey.

The hat-trick came with 14 minutes remaining, and it was a fitting way to complete the treble. Substitute Nicolas Gonzalez drove into the Algerian half and intercepted a pass behind the captain, who took control, moved onto his left foot, and curled the ball into the back of the net.

It was Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick and his 16th World Cup goal, moving him level with Klose at the top of football’s all-time scoring list.

Scaloni immediately withdrew his captain shouting as he stood. Every soul inside the Kansas City Stadium was on their feet, opening for Nico Paz, who came out to see ten minutes left.

Statement made by Argentina

Algeria was not embarrassed. Riyad Mahrez came on with half an hour left to bring back the World Cup as captain, and the former Manchester City and Leicester captain tried to give his side a boost, curling a free-kick over the bar late on and linking up well with his midfielders.

But Algeria couldn’t find a way through Emiliano Martinez who was in no trouble all night.