Kathmandu. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina defeated Algeria in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2018 at the Kansas City Stadium in the United States.

Messi scored his first hat-trick of the season for Argentina. No player has been able to complete a hat-trick in the previous matches of this season.

Messi scored the first goal for Argentina in the 17th minute of the first half. He scored his second hat-trick in the 60th minute and the 76th minute of the match. With this victory, Argentina is at the top of Group J with three points.