Lionel Messi produced a night to remember, scoring his first World Cup hat‑trick as Argentina opened their title defense with a commanding 3–0 victory over Algeria in Group J.
On a famous evening at Children’s Mercy Park, Messi delivered a vintage performance. His opener was a superb long‑range strike that set the tone, the second came seconds after a shaky save from the Algerian goalkeeper and was clinically converted, and the third was a composed finish into the bottom corner that sealed the result.
The three goals also saw Messi draw level with Miroslav Klose as the joint‑leading scorer in men’s World Cup history on 16 goals - a milestone made all the more remarkable given he failed to find the net at the 2010 tournament despite starting every match.
This is only the third occasion Argentina have entered the World Cup as defending champions - and, for the first time in that position, they have avoided defeat in their opening match.
Past tournaments underline how perilous life can be for holders: Argentina suffered shocks to Belgium in 1982 and Cameroon in 1990, while other reigning champions have also fallen early - France to Senegal in 2002, Spain to the Netherlands in 2014, and Germany to Mexico in 2018.
Indeed, in four of the six World Cups since 2000, the title-holders were eliminated in the group stage.
This win gives Lionel Scaloni’s side an encouraging start as they look to navigate a tricky Group J.
Messi’s hat‑trick was a reminder of his enduring quality on football’s biggest stage and a statement that Argentina remain a force to be reckoned with as the tournament progresses.
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