Defending champions Argentina recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria in their first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 16, 2026.
The game began with both sides pressing for an early opener, creating chances in the opening stages.
In the 17th minute, Messi unleashed a long-range strike from outside the penalty box that beat the Algerian goalkeeper despite his attempt to save.
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The North Africans offered little in their bid to find an equaliser before halftime, as they lacked creativity.
The second half saw Argentina continue to push forward, but Lautaro Martínez’s efforts failed to yield a goal.
Messi rose to the occasion once again, pouncing on a ball spilt by Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane to score his second.
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The defending champions did not relent, as Messi completed his hat-trick with a curling shot that found the back of the net, sealing an emphatic 3-0 win.
In Group J, Argentina leads with three points, Austria sits second with three points, while Jordan and Algeria remain at the bottom with zero points after the first round of matches.
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