Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat trick to lead Argentina to a 3-0 [1, 2] victory over Algeria on Wednesday [1, 3].

The performance establishes Messi as a dominant force in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and cements his place in the record books. By scoring three goals [1], the captain not only secured a win for his country but also reached historic milestones that elevate his standing among the greatest players in the history of the sport.

Messi became the second player to score in five different World Cups [4]. With the three goals scored during the match, he now has 16 goals [4], tying the all-time World Cup goals record previously held by Miroslav Klose [4].

In Buenos Aires, supporters gathered to celebrate the result. The atmosphere in the city remained electric as fans reacted to the captain's clinical finishing and the team's overall dominance on the opening day of the tournament [1, 4].

The impact of the performance resonated beyond the Argentine squad. Erling Haaland said Messi was a “madman” [5] following the match.

Argentina's 3-0 [2] win provides the team with early momentum in the group stage. The victory was characterized by an early strike from Messi that set the tone for the remainder of the contest [4].

“Lionel Messi is a “madman””

Messi's achievement of tying the 16-goal record and scoring in five separate tournaments underscores his unprecedented longevity at the highest level of international football. By delivering a hat trick on the opening day, he places immense pressure on opposing defenses and establishes Argentina as a primary contender for the title.