By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and equalled former German striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time FIFA World Cup goals record as defending champions Argentina opened their 2026 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J.
Messi struck in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes to secure Argentina’s opening win and take his World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing level with Klose at the top of the tournament’s all-time scoring charts.
The hat-trick was Messi’s first at a FIFA World Cup and came on his 200th appearance for Argentina. The 39-year-old also became the first player to feature in six World Cups.
Argentina, eager to avoid a repeat of their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, made a winning start to their title defence in Kansas City in United States.
Messi opened the scoring with a long-range strike before adding a second from close range after the break. He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute to seal the result.
The three-goal performance also took Messi’s total World Cup goal contributions to 24, surpassing Pele’s tally of 21 and setting a new tournament record.
Argentina moved to the top of Group J with three points from their opening match.