New Delhi, June 17: Defending champions Argentina kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a stunning performance. In their Group J match, Argentina showcased their prowess by defeating Algeria 3-0, with captain Lionel Messi leading the charge by scoring all three goals.
From the outset, Argentina displayed aggressive play against Algeria. The strikers consistently pressured the Algerian defense, and the team’s first breakthrough came in the 17th minute. Messi executed a brilliant shot from outside the box, fooling Algerian goalkeeper Luka Zidane and finding the back of the net. This marked Messi’s 14th goal in FIFA World Cup history, coinciding with his 200th international match. Although he scored earlier, the referee ruled it offside.
Algeria managed to prevent Argentina from scoring again in the first half, leaving the score at 1-0. However, Messi returned in the second half with renewed energy, netting another spectacular goal in the 60th minute. Although the Algerian goalkeeper initially blocked a shot from Mac Allister, he failed to control the rebound, allowing Messi to capitalize and extend Argentina’s lead to 2-0.
Just 16 minutes later, Messi completed his hat-trick. Receiving the ball outside the box, he skillfully shot with his left foot, sealing the victory for Argentina. This memorable performance not only celebrated Messi’s 200th international appearance but also tied him with Miroslav Klose for the most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history, with a total of 16 goals in the tournament.
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