Guwahati: Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and equalled Miroslav Klose’s all-time FIFA World Cup goals record as defending champions Argentina began their 2026 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J in Kansas City, United States.
Messi struck in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes to seal the win and take his World Cup goal tally to 16, drawing level with Klose atop the tournament’s all-time scoring charts. The three goals came on what was Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina.
The hat-trick was Messi’s first at a FIFA World Cup. The 39-year-old also became the first player to appear at six World Cups, extending a remarkable international career that continues to break records.
Argentina, keen to avoid a repeat of the shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, made a confident start to their title defence. Messi opened the scoring with a long-range strike, added a second from close range after the break, and completed his treble in the 76th minute to secure the result.
The three-goal display also took Messi’s total World Cup goal contributions to 24, surpassing Pelé’s tally of 21 and setting a new tournament benchmark for combined goals and assists. Algeria were kept scoreless as Argentina moved to the top of Group J with three points from their opening match.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-messi-equals-kloses-world-cup-goals-record-in-argentinas-3-0-win-over-algeria.html
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Publish Date: 2026-06-17 09:55:00
