Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and tied the men's World Cup career scoring record as defending champion Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in its Group J opener Tuesday night in Kansas City, Mo., delivering a dominant performance that highlighted both individual brilliance and the collective strength of a team built around supporting its greatest player.
Messi scored in the opening minutes on a feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, added a second goal off a rebound early in the second half and completed the hat trick on a strike from the top of the penalty box before leaving to a standing ovation from a heavily pro-Argentina crowd. The three goals gave Messi 16 for his World Cup career, tying Germany's Miroslav Klose for the tournament's all-time scoring record.
Historic Milestone on Anniversary of Debut
Messi also became only the second player to score in five World Cups, joining Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. The match was Messi's record-setting sixth World Cup appearance and his 200th international appearance, a career that began in 2005 at age 18. Messi's first goal came on the 20th anniversary of his World Cup debut against Serbia and Montenegro, a match in which he also scored.
After the match, Messi reflected on his emotional journey. "My tears after the first goal? I've had some tough days. It wasn't related to football. And those feelings were because of that," he said. "I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me." He added, "I like playing soccer. It's been my passion since I was little. When I'm in good shape, I give it my all."
Messi also said, "It makes me very happy to have lived through everything that came my way. What I'm living though now is the cherry on top," and, "I'm very happy an grateful for this wonderful group. I enjoy it so much."
Team Effort Behind Individual Excellence
Argentina star Rodrigo De Paul emphasized the collective nature of the team's success. "The goal is always to arrive on the first day and leave on the last," he said. "It's an advantage to have Leo because of how he handles the group and pushes it forward. Because of who he is. He doesn't care about individual records. He prioritizes the group, and for us it's incredible."
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his star player's performance. "At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He's incredible," he said. Scaloni also noted the importance of a strong opening match: "The first match is always tricky. We had stumbled in the last World Cup and we needed to have a good debut today."
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic acknowledged Messi's exceptional ability. "We're not talking about any old footballer. Unfortunately we also afford him the opportunity with the first and second goal, and we actually made it easier for him. But Messi, with his clear thinking in crucial stages of the game, is able to do things that much more easily," he said. Petkovic added, "Class is permanent. He's fortunate to have the privilege that the entire Argentina team works for him, and supports him, and for a number of years now — decades — he's done incredible things."
Algeria star Riyad Mahrez said, "Argentina have a special player who can change a game on his own."
Dominant Performance and Near Misses
Messi said after the match, "The first matches at the World Cup are always tough, and we're seeing that nobody's giving anything away." He nearly added two more goals against Algeria, with one effort ruled offside and another in the second half just clearing the crossbar. He also helped Argentina defensively as it controlled the match against Algeria, which had its best chance early when Fares Chaibi's would-be goal was taken away by a VAR review that showed he was offside.
The game was played at Arrowhead Stadium, fulfilling the longtime dream of the late Lamar Hunt, who founded the NFL franchise that plays there and was instrumental in the growth of soccer in the U.S. from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Hunt played a big role in the U.S. hosting the 1994 World Cup, and his sons, Clark and Dan, are doing likewise with this edition. Among those in the crowd were Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who wore a blue sweatsuit and white shirt, and his wife, Brittany.
Argentina will continue its pursuit of back-to-back titles in Arlington, Texas, when it plays Austria on Monday and Jordan on June 27. Algeria plays Jordan on Monday in Santa Clara, California, before facing Austria in its Group J finale on June 27 in Kansas City.
Why This Matters:
Messi's historic performance demonstrates how collective support and institutional commitment enable individual excellence in international sport. His emotional acknowledgment of teammates and coaching staff underscores that even the world's greatest players depend on strong organizational structures and collaborative environments. The match also highlights the ongoing legacy of public investment in soccer infrastructure in the United States, from Lamar Hunt's decades of advocacy to his family's continued involvement in hosting the World Cup. As Argentina pursues consecutive championships, the tournament showcases how sustained investment in athletic development and team cohesion can produce results that transcend individual achievement, offering a model for how institutions can nurture talent while maintaining collective purpose.