Lionel Messi's hat-trick in his 200th match for the national team brought the reigning world champions a victory over Algeria. The African team's goalkeeper Zidane, son of the famous Frenchman who was present in the VIP box, did not help his team in the goal-scoring episodes. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Match Overview

**Group J, Matchday 1, June 17, Kansas City, Arrowhead Stadium**

⚽ **ARGENTINA – ALGERIA 3:0 (1:0)**. Goals: Messi 17 (1:0), Messi 60 (2:0), Messi 76 (3:0)

At the start of the match, the opponents exchanged credentials by scoring a goal each. In the 5th minute, 38-year-old Messi saluted his sixth World Cup, and three minutes later, Faris Chaibi from German Eintracht scored at the opposite end. However, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed both goals for the same reason – offsides preceding the goals.

The Argentine captain's goal in the 17th minute was impossible to disallow. The Algerians suicidally gave Messi free space near the penalty area, and he, receiving a pass from Rodrigo de Paul, struck unstoppably into the top corner. Luca Zinedine Zidane Fernandez (full name of the Algerian national team and Spanish Granada goalkeeper) touched the ball with his fingertips, but it did not save the Africans.

After the explosive start, the game calmed down. Under the timid whistles of neutral spectators demanding a continuation of the goal feast, the first half ended and the second began.

Just before the hour mark, Messi scored a double. The star Inter Miami forward tapped the ball into the net after a shot by Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister, which was very poorly parried by Zidane – 2:0.

Six minutes later, Messi went for a hat-trick. The Algerians, as with the first goal, gave Messi time and space near their penalty area, but this time Zidane's gloves were longer.

Nevertheless, the first hat-trick of the 2026 World Cup (and Messi's first hat-trick in World Cup final tournaments) took place. In the 76th minute, Messi, receiving a pass from Nicolas Gonzalez, with a filigree shot into the bottom corner completely confused Zidane Jr. – 3:0. After that, the Moor, having done his job, gave way to Como forward Nico Paz.

Records

During one match, Messi successively surpassed German Gerd Müller (14) and Frenchman Kylian Mbappé (14) and Brazilian Ronaldo (15) in the list of top scorers in World Cup history. As a result, the Argentine caught up with Miroslav Klose. Both now have 16 goals. Apparently, the German's record will soon fall. Messi and Mbappé seem determined to shine at the 2026 World Cup.

Upcoming Matches

The first round in Group J will conclude with the match Austria – Jordan. In the second round of this quartet, Argentina will play against Austria on June 22, and on June 23, Algeria will face Jordan.

Tonight, two matches took place in Group I. Doubles by the aforementioned Mbappé and Erling Haaland laid the foundation for victories by the French and Norwegians over Senegal (3:1) and Iraq (4:1), respectively.

About the Tournament

The 23rd FIFA World Cup final tournament is being held for the first time in three countries (USA, Canada, Mexico) with the participation of 48 teams divided into twelve groups.

In the group stage, 16 unsuccessful teams will be eliminated – the last teams in each group and the four worst third-placed teams. Then the playoffs begin, starting with the Round of 32.