Lionel Messi tied the all-time Men's World Cup goals record after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's victory over Algeria [1].
The achievement marks a historic milestone in international football, as Messi now shares the record for the most career World Cup goals with Miroslav Klose [1], [2].
Argentina defeated Algeria with a final score of 3-0 [3]. The match, which took place June 16, 2026, occurred during the group stage of the FIFA World Cup [4]. Messi's three goals [1] secured the win for his national team and provided him with his first World Cup hat-trick [1].
Beyond the goal tally, the performance solidified Messi's place in the tournament's history. He became only the second player to score in five different World Cups [5]. This consistency across multiple tournaments has allowed him to reach the tally previously held only by Klose [2].
The victory puts Argentina in a strong position as they navigate the group stage. The team's offensive efficiency was highlighted by the shutout of the Algerian defense, ensuring a clean sheet alongside the record-breaking scoring performance [3].
“Messi now shares the record for the most career World Cup goals with Miroslav Klose”
Tying the goal record elevates Messi's statistical legacy to the absolute peak of World Cup history. By matching Klose's tally and becoming one of only two players to score in five separate tournaments, Messi demonstrates a level of longevity and scoring efficiency that is rarely seen in professional sports.
