Lionel Messi’s record hat-trick leads Argentina’s 3-0 rout of Algeria in 2026 World Cup debut

Argentina defeated Algeria in their 2026 World Cup debut. Lionel Messi, in historic fashion, scored a hat trick at 38 years old.

With three goals from Lionel Messi, Argentina opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding win over Algeria.

Six minutes of added time are being played.

The final five minutes of the match are being played.

Nabil Bentaleb and Fares Chaïbi were substituted off. Adil Boulbina and Ramiz Zerrouki came on.

Lionel Messi is substituted after completing his hat trick, Cristian Romero also came off. Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Paz came on.

Lionel Messi scores a hat trick.

The final 15 minutes of the match are underway, with Argentina continuing to dominate.

Play resumes at Kansas City Stadium.

The second cooling break of the match is taking place.

The No. 10 is controlling the tempo and nearly scored the third.

Mohamed Amoura, Houssem Aouar, and Riyad Mahrez have come on, replacing Hicham Boudaoui, Amine Gouiri, and Anis Hadj Moussa.

Lionel Messi scores the second goal of the match after a rebound from Zidane.

Nicolás González and Julián Álvarez have come on, replacing Lautaro Martinez and Thiago Almada.

Lautaro Martínez finished across goal, but Zidane saved it.

Both teams are exchanging possession. Lionel Messi attempted a shot from distance, but it went wide.

Nahuel Molina has come on in place of Gonzalo Montiel.

The second half is underway at Kansas City Stadium.

In a match that started with two disallowed goals (one for each side), Argentina took a narrow lead with a stunning long-range goal from Lionel Messi.

The African side tried to reach Martínez’s box but had little success. Lionel Scaloni’s team has been slightly superior.

Argentina leads 1–0 at halftime against Algeria.

Messi’s goal, which makes him the oldest player to score over Cristiano Ronaldo, gives La Albiceleste the advantage at the break.

Four more minutes are being played!

The final moments of the first half are being played.

A loose attack from Algeria was well handled by Martínez.

Messi is the architect of Argentina’s attacking plays.

The match slows down, entering  the closing stages of the first half.

Argentina’s midfield is playing one-touch soccer and controlling the ball.

Argentina and Algeria continue the match after the hydration break.

The first cooling break of the match is taking place.

Messi’s goal gives Argentina more control and composure in the flow of the game.

Messi opens the scoring with a stunning goal!!!

Argentina look to create danger down the flanks.

Fast pitch, and both teams are trying to reach the opposing box.

Fares Chaïbi finished past Martínez, but he was also offside.

Messi finished brilliantly, but he was offside.

Both teams are sizing each other up in the opening minutes.

Argentina and Algeria are underway.

With great respect, all spectators listen to and sing the national anthems.

Argentina and Algeria are set to take the field!!!

Just minutes remain before Argentina and Algeria make their tournament debut.

Algeria, at the time of the 2026 World Cup, is ranked 27th in the FIFA Rankings.

Both teams are warming up on the field.

Dibu Martinez, Argentina’s goalkeeper, has a fractured finger on his right hand, but he will still start in the opening match.

Ahead of this World Cup, Messi has scored 13 times in the tournament.

Miroslav Klose is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 16 goals, meaning the Argentine No. 10 could equal his record.

Fans of both teams are slowly making their way toward the stadium.

In addition to Argentina’s opener against Algeria, Austria will face Jordan in the next match, the other two teams in Group J.

Riyad Mahrez is not playing in this important match due to a tactical decision by his coach.

Algeria will take the field with these eleven players.

Luca Zidane; Aissa Mandi, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaini; Fares Chaibi, Hicham Boudaoui, Nabil Bentaleb, Ibrahim Maza; Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa.

This is the confirmed lineup for Argentina for this crucial game:

Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina; Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martinez.

Argentina will wear their home kit, while Algeria will be dressed in green.

The Argentina national team, led by Lionel Scaloni, is aiming to win its fourth World Cup title. It previously lifted the trophy at Argentina 1978, Mexico 1986, and Qatar 2022.

Both teams will make their tournament debut at Kansas City Stadium, better known as Arrowhead Stadium, where a crowd of around 76,000 spectators is expected.

The referee for this match will be Szymon Marciniak of Poland, while Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik will serve as the assistant referees. New Zealand’s Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh will be the fourth official.

The VAR official for the match will be Tomasz Kwiatkowski, also from Poland.

The match between Argentina and Algeria is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 PM ET.

Fans in the United States can watch the game on FOX and Telemundo through traditional television broadcasts.

The match can also be streamed on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium.

Welcome to a new live blog here at Bolavip! Argentina and Algeria begin their journey in the 2026 World Cup with an exciting match in Group J.

Don’t miss a moment of what could happen in this minute-by-minute coverage of the match!