Messi Scores Hat-Trick to Tie World Cup All-Time Scoring Record with 16 Goals [2026 World Cup]

Argentina Defeats Algeria 3-0
Messi Ties Klose for All-Time World Cup Scoring Lead
Fierce Golden Boot Race with 14-Goal Mbappe

Lionel Messi recorded a hat-trick in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America, becoming the joint all-time top scorer in World Cup history.

On June 17 (local time), Messi scored three goals for Argentina in their first Group J match against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, leading his team to victory before being substituted in the 80th minute. Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0, powered by Messi's outstanding performance.

Lionel Messi (left) is celebrating after scoring the first goal in the 17th minute of the first match of Group J between Argentina and Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on the 17th (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Messi showed his sharp scoring instincts from the outset. Just five minutes into the match, he curved a left-footed shot into the Algerian net from inside the penalty box, but the goal was ruled offside.

He scored the opening goal in the 17th minute of the first half, finishing with a left-footed shot from outside the box after receiving a pass from Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi netted his second goal in the 60th minute of the second half. After a powerful long-range strike by Alexis Mac Allister was parried by Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane, Messi pounced on the rebound and calmly slotted the ball into the right corner.

He completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute. Messi drove the ball through the center and passed to Nicolas Gonzalez, who then returned the ball to Messi advancing to the edge of the penalty area. Messi struck again with his left foot, finding the Algerian net once more.

Having completed his hat-trick, Messi was substituted for Nico Paz in the 80th minute to close out the match.

From the 2006 World Cup in Germany through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Messi scored 13 goals in 26 matches. In his sixth World Cup appearance, he added three more goals in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America, bringing his World Cup career tally to 16 goals. With this, Messi has caught up with Germany’s Miroslav Klose, who held the all-time World Cup scoring record at 16 goals prior to this tournament. If Messi scores just one more goal, he will become the sole top scorer in World Cup history.

The race for the Golden Boot between Messi and Kylian Mbappe is heating up from the very start of the tournament. Mbappe, who is also aiming for the all-time World Cup top scorer title alongside Messi, scored two goals earlier in France’s Group I match against Senegal at New York–New Jersey Stadium in New Jersey, USA. France defeated Senegal 3-1 thanks to Mbappe’s performance. With two more goals, Mbappe increased his World Cup career total to 14, placing him third behind Messi and Klose (16 goals each) and 'football emperor' Ronaldo (15 goals).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.