Messi Hat-Trick Equals World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Cruise Past Algeria
Mark Strijbosch
Lionel Messi scored three times to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City.
Argentina's Captain Delivers Historic Performance in Group J Opener
Both teams found the net inside the opening eight minutes, only for VAR to intervene twice. Messi finished past Luca Zidane in the fifth minute but was ruled marginally offside. Three minutes later, Farès Chaïbi put the ball in from the left for Algeria, and his effort was also chalked off. The early sequence set the tone for a match where fine margins separated breakthrough from frustration.
Argentina eventually broke the deadlock through Messi in the 17th minute, and the captain added two more after the interval to complete his hat-trick. The 3-0 win gave Lionel Scaloni's side three points from their Group J opener, while Algeria's first World Cup appearance since 2014 ended in defeat. Messi's sixteenth World Cup goal drew him level with Klose's record in what marked his sixth tournament at the age of 39.
Key Events
Minute | Event | Player / Team | Description |
5' | Disallowed goal | Messi / Argentina | Ruled offside by VAR after finishing into the net |
8' | Disallowed goal | Chaïbi / Algeria | Offside decision cancels goal from the left |
17' | Goal | Messi / Argentina | Left-footed strike from edge of box, assisted by De Paul |
60' | Goal | Messi / Argentina | Right-footed rebound after Zidane parried Mac Allister's shot |
76' | Goal | Messi / Argentina | Left-footed finish from edge of box to complete hat-trick |
Messi's three goals came through varied methods: a left-footed strike from distance, a right-footed rebound, and another left-footed effort from the edge of the area. His hat-trick completed a match where both sides had goals disallowed early and Algeria threatened through Chaïbi without converting their chances.
Player Ratings
Argentina
Player | Rating | Description |
Lionel Messi | 9.5 | Scored all three goals and had another disallowed for offside |
Lisandro Martínez | 7.8 | Commanded the backline and made crucial interventions throughout |
Rodrigo De Paul | 7.5 | Provided the assist for the opening goal with a forward pass |
Alexis Mac Allister | 7.2 | Shot from distance created the rebound for Messi's second goal |
Cristian Romero | 7.1 | Solid defensive partnership with Lisandro Martínez for 80 minutes |
Emiliano Martínez | 7.0 | Clean sheet with a notable save from an Algeria cross at 41 minutes |
Enzo Fernández | 7.0 | Anchored midfield with composed distribution throughout |
Nico González | 7.0 | Assisted Messi's third goal after entering at 55 minutes |
Facundo Medina | 6.7 | Provided balance at left-back across the full 90 minutes |
Lautaro Martínez | 6.6 | Header saved at 4 minutes and shot stopped at 54 minutes |
Gonzalo Montiel | 6.5 | Played the first half before being replaced by Molina |
Nahuel Molina | 6.4 | Fulfilled defensive duties after entering at half-time |
Thiago Almada | 6.3 | Shot well wide at 42 minutes before substitution |
Julián Álvarez | 6.2 | Operated as central striker for final 35 minutes |
Nicolás Otamendi | 6.1 | Entered at 80 minutes to help see out the clean sheet |
Nico Paz | 5.9 | Replaced Messi at 80 minutes with minimal time to influence |
Algeria
Player | Rating | Description |
Farès Chaïbi | 6.7 | Goal disallowed, multiple shots off target, most threatening attacker |
Ibrahim Maza | 6.5 | Algeria's most creative presence, had shot blocked by defence |
Rayan Aït-Nouri | 6.4 | Most progressive Algeria defender with runs from left-back |
Aïssa Mandi | 6.2 | Captained the side and attempted to organise defensive effort |
Anis Hadj Moussa | 6.1 | Individual run at 49 minutes created Algeria's best second-half chance |
Ramy Bensebaini | 6.1 | Involved in patient buildup from deep positions |
Houssem Aouar | 6.0 | Shot wide from edge of box at 69 minutes after entering |
Hicham Boudaoui | 5.9 | Part of central midfield for 64 minutes before substitution |
Riyad Mahrez | 5.8 | Free kick struck wall, unable to create breakthrough in 26 minutes |
Rafik Belghali | 5.7 | Struggled to contain Argentina's attacks down his flank |
Mohamed Amoura | 5.6 | Limited involvement after entering at 64 minutes |
Ramiz Zerrouki | 5.5 | Brief cameo after replacing Maza at 82 minutes |
Nabil Bentaleb | 5.4 | Struggled to impose himself and disappeared during first half |
Adil Boulbina | 5.4 | Entered at 81 minutes with minimal time to make impact |
Amine Gouiri | 5.3 | Ball passed through his legs at crucial moment around 49 minutes |
Luca Zidane | 5.3 | Parried Mac Allister's shot into Messi's path for the second goal |
Line-Ups and Subs
Argentina retained six starters from the 2022 World Cup final, including Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lionel Messi. Algeria started without Riyad Mahrez, who was named among the substitutes due to physical concerns. Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, started in goal wearing a protective mask following a mandibular fracture.
Scaloni replaced Gonzalo Montiel with Nahuel Molina at half-time. Julián Álvarez and Nico González entered for Lautaro Martínez and Thiago Almada at 55 minutes. Algeria made a triple change at 64 minutes, introducing Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, and Houssem Aouar. Messi departed to a standing ovation at 80 minutes, replaced by Nico Paz alongside Otamendi for Romero.
Mahrez was available from the bench despite physical concerns. No other absences were explicitly provided.
First Half: Messi Opens Scoring After Both Teams Have Goals Disallowed
Argentina tested Luca Zidane inside four minutes when Lautaro Martínez met a delivery with a header, but the goalkeeper saved well. Messi then found the net in the fifth minute, only for VAR to rule him offside. Algeria responded three minutes later when Chaïbi finished from the left, but his goal was also disallowed for offside.
Messi broke the deadlock legitimately in the 17th minute. Rodrigo De Paul played a forward pass and the captain advanced before striking a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Zidane got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it crossing the line.
Algeria created pressure approaching half-time. Emiliano Martínez pushed a dangerous cross behind for a corner at 41 minutes. From the resulting set piece, Chaïbi headed off target. He had two further efforts before the interval, shooting wide at 44 minutes after beating a defender and again at 45+1 minutes. Almada missed a chance for Argentina at 42 minutes, striking well wide on the counter-attack. The half ended 1-0.
Second Half: Messi Adds Two More to Complete Hat-Trick
Algeria created an early opening when Anis Hadj Moussa carried the ball past defenders at 49 minutes, but the chance was wasted when the ball ran through Amine Gouiri's legs. Messi shot over from the edge of the box at 51 minutes before setting up Lautaro Martínez at 54 minutes, with Zidane saving again.
Argentina doubled their lead in the 60th minute. Mac Allister struck from outside the box and Zidane parried the ball directly to Messi, who reacted first and finished with his right foot. Algeria made a triple substitution at 64 minutes, introducing Mahrez, Amoura, and Aouar.
Zidane denied Messi at 66 minutes, and Aouar shot wide at the other end at 69 minutes. Messi completed his hat-trick at 76 minutes when Nico González found him at the edge of the area and he struck a left-footed finish into the net. The captain departed at 80 minutes to a standing ovation with the match secured.
Tactical Notes
Scaloni retained the core of the 2022 World Cup-winning side, with Messi operating as a number 10 and dropping deep to orchestrate play. Algeria's Vladimir Petković started without Mahrez due to physical concerns and used a triple substitution at 64 minutes to chase the game. Argentina controlled possession through their experienced midfield trio of De Paul, Fernández, and Mac Allister, limiting Algeria's ability to build sustained pressure.
Broader Implications
Argentina's 3-0 win gave the defending champions three points in Group J as they pursue consecutive World Cup titles. Messi's sixteenth World Cup goal drew him level with Miroslav Klose's all-time record at the age of 39 in his sixth tournament. Algeria's return to the World Cup after a twelve-year absence began with defeat.
Off-the-Pitch Context
Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, started despite wearing a protective mask following a mandibular fracture. Messi was appearing at his sixth World Cup, becoming the first player to reach that milestone while equalling the all-time scoring record.
