Messi scores hat trick as Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City
The three goals put Argentina atop Group J, while Messi recorded his first World Cup hat trick.
Lionel Messi scored three goals as Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in a 2026 World Cup Group J match at Kansas City Stadium on Tuesday (16/6) local time, or Wednesday in WIB. The Argentina captain opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a left-footed shot, then added another in the 60th minute and completed his hat trick in the 76th. The result put Argentina on top of the Group J standings. Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane could not stop Messi's finishing, which gave him his first World Cup hat trick. The performance came just days before his 39th birthday, amid attention over whether he could deliver another major showing at the tournament.