At 38 years and 357 days old, Messi became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup match, surpassing the mark previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo. The achievement added yet another record to an already extraordinary career.
With the game effectively won, Messi was substituted in the 80th minute to a standing ovation from the crowd. By then, he had already settled the contest, and the decision made perfect sense with a long tournament still ahead and Argentina keen to manage their captain’s workload carefully. Lionel Messi delivered a memorable performance as Argentina began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria. The Argentine captain scored all three goals, registering the first World Cup hat-trick of his legendary career.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a brilliant long-range strike that gave Argentina an early advantage. After the break, he added a second goal with a close-range finish following a smooth attacking move. The veteran forward then completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with another superb effort, sending Argentine fans into celebration.
The three-goal performance carried historic significance. Messi’s tally of 16 World Cup goals now matches the all-time tournament record held by German icon Miroslav Klose. He also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick at 38 years and 357 days.
The match marked another milestone for Messi, who became the first footballer to appear in six FIFA World Cups. He received a standing ovation when substituted in the 80th minute after guiding the defending champions to a perfect start.
Argentina’s dominant display highlighted their title ambitions, with Messi once again proving his brilliance on football’s biggest stage.