Messi equals World Cup scoring record; draws level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose
. . . at the top of the all-time scoring charts
Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance as defending champions Argentina opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in Group J.
The Argentine captain produced a sensational hat-trick on his landmark 200th international appearance, becoming the joint-highest goalscorer in World Cup history.
The three goals took Messi’s tally at World Cup finals to 16, drawing him level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time scoring charts.
The 38-year-old opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a trademark curling effort after being set up by Rodrigo De Paul. The strike capped an entertaining start to the match, with both sides seeing goals ruled out during an action-packed opening period.
Despite Argentina’s dominance in possession, Algeria remained competitive and threatened on several occasions. However, the reigning champions demonstrated their quality and experience when it mattered most.
Messi doubled Argentina’s advantage just after the hour mark, capitalising on a mistake by goalkeeper Luca Zidane before calmly finishing from close range.
He completed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick in the 76th minute, unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the area after winning possession and driving forward with purpose.
The victory marked Argentina’s first opening-match win at a World Cup as defending champions, having lost their opening fixtures in both 1982 and 1990 after lifting the trophy.
Already the first player to feature in six World Cups, Messi added another chapter to his remarkable career by becoming the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick.
His performance served as a reminder that, nearly four years after leading Argentina to glory in Qatar, he remains a decisive force on football’s biggest stage.
Argentina’s successful start places them in a strong position in Group J ahead of upcoming matches against Austria and Jordan, while Messi now stands on the verge of becoming the outright leading scorer in World Cup history.
