Messi’s Historic Hat‑Trick Powers Argentina’s Dominant World Cup Opener

Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass in Kansas City, scoring a first-ever World Cup hat‑trick on his 200th cap—tying the all‑time scoring record and silencing doubts about his form.

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A Night of Records and Resonance

On June 16, 2026, at Kansas City Stadium, Lionel Messi scored his first-ever World Cup hat‑trick in Argentina’s 3‑0 victory over Algeria, marking a night that will echo through football history . In doing so, he became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals in a World Cup match and equalled Miroslav Klose’s all‑time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals .

Milestones in Every Touch

This match was Messi’s 200th appearance for Argentina and his sixth World Cup—both milestones celebrated in style with a performance of rare precision . The goals came at defining moments: a curling strike in the 17th minute from De Paul’s pass; a poacher’s tap‑in at the hour mark; and a trademark low finish from the edge of the box in the 76th minute .