Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football folklore on Wednesday as Argentina opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J. The 38-year-old captain delivered a masterclass, scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick and breaking multiple records in the process.

The match at the iconic stadium saw Messi deliver a performance that silenced any doubts about his fitness and age, helping the defending champions start their title defence on a high note.

Historic Milestone in Sixth World Cup

Messi became the first player in history to feature in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup. Having already featured in five previous tournaments, his appearance against Algeria pushed him into uncharted territory. The landmark moment came even before kick-off, but what followed on the pitch was pure magic.

Sources familiar with the Argentine camp noted that Messi, despite recent injury concerns, was determined to lead from the front. He will turn 39 later this month, yet showed little signs of slowing down.

Early Promise and Record-Breaking Goal

Argentina started brightly, with Messi finding the net inside the opening minutes only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Undeterred, the captain broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a clinical finish, giving his side a deserved lead.

That strike carried special significance — it made Messi both the youngest and the oldest player to score a World Cup goal for Argentina, adding yet another unique record to his collection.

Maiden World Cup Hat-Trick Seals Victory

Early in the second half, Messi struck again to make it 2-0, moving him joint-second on the all-time World Cup goalscorers list. Minutes later, he completed his hat-trick, becoming the oldest player ever to achieve the feat in a World Cup match. With the third goal, he equalled Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, now standing alone at the top of the charts.

The hat-trick took Messi’s World Cup tally to 16 goals and eight assists from 27 appearances, numbers that underline his enduring greatness.

200th Cap for Argentina

The game also marked Messi’s 200th appearance for the national team — a record no other Argentine player has touched. Coach Lionel Scaloni, showing caution with his star player’s workload, substituted him shortly after the third goal to preserve him for upcoming group matches.

Algeria Struggle as Argentina Dominate

Algeria, who put up a spirited fight in patches, were ultimately outclassed by the world champions. The North African side failed to create clear-cut chances against a solid Argentine defence, slumping to a disappointing defeat in their opening fixture.

For Argentina, the result provides the perfect platform as they look to defend their crown. The win also sends a strong message to other Group J contenders.

What Lies Ahead for Messi and Argentina

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on Messi. Questions about his longevity and fitness have followed him into this World Cup, but performances like this continue to defy expectations. Argentina will now prepare for their next group stage assignment with renewed confidence.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also expected to reach the six-World Cup milestone when Portugal face DR Congo later on Wednesday, setting up a fascinating narrative across the tournament.

The football world will be watching closely to see how far this Argentina side, led by their eternal talisman, can go in 2026.