KANSAS CITY — Lionel Messi scored his first hat trick in a World Cup match as defending champions Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their Group J opener on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old forward, appearing in a record sixth tournament, found the net in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, tying Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time men’s World Cup scoring record with 16 goals.
Argentina controlled much of the contest, advancing their title defense with a victory that sends them atop the group standings early. Algeria, returning to the World Cup after a long absence, offered limited threat.
Messi’s first goal came from close range after interplay involving team-mates, while his second exploited a goalkeeping error. He completed the hat trick late in the second half with a composed finish. Coach Lionel Scaloni substituted him before full time, reportedly to preserve his fitness for upcoming fixtures.
The match marked Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina and came almost exactly 20 years after his World Cup debut. He entered the tournament having scored 13 goals in previous editions.
Argentina dominated possession and created multiple chances, with Lautaro Martínez and others testing the Algerian defense. Emiliano Martínez kept a clean sheet in goal. Algeria struggled to generate meaningful attacks against a well-organized Argentine side.
FIFA and match officials have not commented on an early incident involving Messi and Algerian defender Aissa Mandi that drew attention from some observers after the game. Details on any disciplinary review remain unclear.
Argentina next faces Austria on June 22 in Dallas, followed by Jordan on June 27, also in Dallas. Algeria will seek to regroup in its remaining group matches.
Messi told reporters after the match he was focused on the team’s performance. “It’s not about individual records, it’s about winning for Argentina,” he said, according to post-match accounts.
The result gives Argentina three points in Group J, which also includes Austria and Jordan. Further details on attendance and other match statistics were not immediately available from official sources.
