Messi Hits Hat-Trick as Argentina Thrash Algeria, but Refereeing Controversy Looms

Lionel Messi delivered a masterful performance, scoring a hat-trick as defending champions Argentina began their World Cup campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City. The veteran forward’s treble not only secured a crucial three points but also saw him equal Miroslav Klose’s record as the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history.

Messi’s display at 38 years old silenced any lingering doubts about his fitness and form heading into his sixth World Cup. The forward was a constant threat, showcasing renewed urgency and decisiveness throughout the match.

Key facts

A Vintage Messi Performance

From the opening whistle, Messi demonstrated his enduring quality. In the early stages, he was seen tracking back into his own defensive third to win possession, a sign of his unwavering commitment. On the ball, he was as impactful as ever, orchestrating attacks and finding space to score.

His first goal, though initially flagged for offside, showcased his ability to create and finish. The opener itself saw Messi weave through the Algerian defence, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane unable to make a decisive save. The second-half saw Messi continue his dominance, playing a key role in a chance for Lautaro Martinez before adding his second goal through a goalkeeping error. He completed his hat-trick with a trademark strike into the bottom corner, reaffirming his status as a dominant force in world football.

Refereeing Controversy

Amidst Messi’s brilliance, a moment of contention arose between his first and second goals. The Argentina captain made a challenge on Algerian captain Aissa Mandi, catching him on the calf and Achilles tendon. While the referee, Szymon Marciniak, awarded a free-kick, many observers felt the tackle warranted at least a yellow card, with some suggesting it could have been a red.

The incident led to discussions about whether Messi received lenient treatment from the match officials. The challenge, made with studs up, appeared dangerous and inconsistent with the disciplinary measures typically applied in such situations. Despite the debate, Messi continued the match without punishment.

Luca Zidane’s World Cup Debut

For Algeria’s goalkeeper, Luca Zidane, the match marked a difficult World Cup debut. Son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, Luca played with a mask following a broken jaw sustained earlier in the season. While he made some saves, he was ultimately unable to prevent Messi from scoring three times. His father is expected to offer him words of encouragement as he processes the challenging outing.

Defending Champions’ Strong Start

Argentina’s victory marks the first time they have avoided defeat in their opening World Cup match as defending champions. This contrasts with previous tournaments where holders have sometimes struggled in their first game, leading to early exits. The comfortable win over Algeria provides a solid foundation for Argentina as they look to navigate the group stage and progress further in the tournament, with matches against Austria and Jordan still to come. Coach Lionel Scaloni will be pleased with his team’s performance, particularly in mitigating any perceived over-reliance on Messi, a concern that was notably absent in their Qatar 2022 triumph.

Looking Ahead

Argentina’s next fixture is against Austria, followed by a match against Jordan. The outcome of these games will determine their path in the knockout stages, with potential opponents and locations dependent on their final group standing.

Source: The Athletic Football – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7367934/2026/06/16/lionel-messi-argentina-algeria-result/