Lionel Messi led Argentina to their opening win against Algeria in his 200th international match, equaling Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record.
The first step towards defending the title has been taken: Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 (1-0) at the start of Group J. The outstanding player was the hat-trick scorer Lionel Messi. The superstar scored the opening goal in the 17th minute and added twice in the second half (60th/76th). With 16 World Cup goals, the superstar has as many as Miroslav Klose.
Offside goals on both sides
Algeria had three Bundesliga professionals in the starting line-up: Fares Chaibi (Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Leverkusen) and Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund). With Argentina, Lionel Messi played his 200th game for the “Albiceleste“, and – until Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo’s first appearance – he is the only player to have played in six World Cups.
The first chance in the arena in Kansas City, which is known as an NFL venue for its particularly loud atmosphere, belonged to Lautaro Martinez, who tested Luca Zidane with his header. The son of France’s football saint Zinédine parried effortlessly (4th). Speaking of football saints: a minute later, the Argentines celebrated their supposed lead, but Messi was just offside before his shot into the near corner.
Messi takes the lead fantastically
Shortly afterwards, the Algerians cheered – but in vain. Maza served Chaibi with a wonderful pass, which beat Emiliano Martinez in the near corner of the goal, but was also offside (8th). The game was extremely entertaining, which was also due to the active North Africans. But the lead was reserved for the superstar: Messi was served in the center by Rodrigo de Paul, turned and, after three or four quick steps, inimitably shot with his left foot into the right corner. Zidane still had his hands on it, but couldn’t fend off the ball. The keeper didn’t look good. For Messi it was the 118th goal in the dress of the “Albiceleste”.
The world champion now controlled the game, and the Argentine fans in the stands started chanting loudly. The Algerians’ momentum from the opening phase had evaporated and the goal had clearly had an impact. The Albiceleste impressed with their passing security and played with a lot of patience instead of necessarily looking for a direct route to the top. As a result, things calmed down noticeably and highlights were few and far between. Five minutes before the break, Chaibi forced Martinez into a save from a tight angle. Four minutes later, a long-range shot from Frankfurt flew well over the goal.
Messi dusts off
Algeria came out of the locker room with fresh momentum, but the first offensive action of the second half belonged to Messi again. The 38-year-old’s shot went well over the goal (51′). Three minutes later, Messi passed through for Martinez, who finished straight away. Zidane quickly dived and safely parried the low shot. Algeria tried to build up pressure, but Argentina defended consistently: Maza’s shot from 20 meters was blocked (58′).
Then Messi struck again and Zidane didn’t look good again. Alexis Mac Allister took a powerful but very central shot. Algeria’s keeper let the ball bounce forward, where Messi was the only player to run through and easily slotted in to make it 2-0. Six minutes later, Messi was sent sharply and shot, and this time Zidane prevented the third goal with a great save.
Superstar puts together a three-pack
Algeria once again seemed impressed by the goal, but substitute Houssem Aouar still managed to finish. His attempt from 23 meters landed to the left of the goal (69′). Then Argentina struck again through its superstar: Nicolás González fed the 38-year-old in the center, who wonderfully flicked the ball into the left corner. Shortly afterwards, coach Lionel Scaloni took the main actor of the evening off the field, and Messi left the field to frenzied cheers.
Algeria tried to correct the result until the final whistle. A free kick from substitute Riyad Mahrez got stuck in the wall (86′). Despite all their efforts, the North Africans were no longer able to score a consolation goal. Argentina, on the other hand, is celebrating the perfect start to the 2026 World Cup thanks to Messi.
outlook
Argentina will continue against Austria in Dallas on Monday (7 p.m. CEST), while Algeria will face Jordan on Tuesday (5 a.m. CEST) in San Francisco.