World Cup – Messi scores a hat-trick as Argentina defeats Algeria 3-0 to temporarily top the table.

The first round of Group J matches in the 2026 World Cup has concluded, with Argentina defeating Algeria 3-0 at the Kansas City Stadium in the United States. Following this victory, they temporarily top the group, ahead of Austria on goal difference.

In the opening stages of the first half, both Argentina and Algeria squandered a chance to change the score: In the 5th minute, Lautaro Martinez delivered a lobbed pass from the edge of the penalty area, and Lionel Messi's follow-up shot was ruled offside. In the 7th minute, Ibrahim Maza's diagonal pass assisted Faris Chaibi's curling shot into the net, but it was also ruled offside.

In the 16th minute, Rodrigo De Paul delivered a precise long pass from midfield, and Messi broke through to the edge of the box before unleashing a powerful shot to open the scoring. The two sides then engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with Argentina ultimately taking a one-goal lead into halftime.

The second half began with both sides switching ends. In the 53rd minute, Messi delivered a through ball forward, and Lautaro's low shot inside the penalty area was saved by Luca Zidane. In the 59th minute, Alexis McAllister's long-range shot from outside the box caused Luca Zidane to fumble the save, and Messi followed up to score his second goal.

In the 65th minute, McAllister delivered a long pass from midfield, and Messi broke into the penalty area before unleashing a powerful shot that was saved by Luca Zidane. In the 75th minute, Nico González delivered a cross from the edge of the penalty area, and Messi scored with a low shot, completing his hat-trick. Neither side managed to score again, and the final score remained 3-0.

Image source: Internet