KANSAS CITY, June 17: Defending champions Argentina moved closer to victory against Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after captain Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick.
Playing at Kansas City Stadium in the United States, Messi completed his hat trick in the 76th minute to give Argentina a commanding 3–0 lead.
Messi’s Argentina in a slimmer hope for the World Cup
The Argentine star had earlier found the net in the 17th and 60th minutes.
The hat trick was Messi's first in World Cup history despite appearing in the tournament for a record sixth time.
With his three goals against Algeria, Messi's World Cup tally rose to 16, drawing level with the all-time tournament scoring record set by Miroslav Klose.
Messi also made his record 27th World Cup appearance in the match, extending his mark as the player with the most games played in the tournament's history.
