Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
KANSAS CITY, United States, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi equaled the record for the most FIFA World Cup goals by scoring his first World Cup finals hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J on Tuesday.
Messi put the reigning champion ahead with a long-range strike in the 17th minute and doubled the lead by tapping in on the hour.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner netted his third goal with a low strike into the bottom-left corner 14 minutes from time.
Messi, 38, now has 16 World Cup goals, equaling the record set by Germany's Miroslav Klose at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. ■
Players of Argentina celebrate their first score by Lionel Messi (R, bottom) during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina competes during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Players of Argentina pose for group photos before the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Fares Chaibi of Algeria reacts after scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Players of Argentina celebrate their first score by Lionel Messi (R, front) during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Rayan Ait-nouri (R) of Algeria vies with players of Argentina during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Players of Argentina celebrate their first score by Lionel Messi (R, front) during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina greets Riyad Mahrez of Algeria before the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Fares Chaibi of Algeria reacts after scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (No. 10) of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina shoots to score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Lionel Messi of Argentina (R) competes during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Lionel Messi of Argentina takes a corner kick during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Argentina is seen during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Rodrigo De Paul (R, front) of Argentina vies with Rayan Ait-nouri of Algeria (L, front) during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina celebrates his score during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (3rd L) of Argentina competes during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Lionel Messi of Argentina is seen during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Rayan Ait-nouri (C) of Algeria competes during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina vies with Rayan Ait-nouri of Algeria during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Rayan Ait-nouri (C) of Algeria vies with Rodrigo De Paul (R) and Cristian Romero (L) during the group J match between Argentina and Algeria at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, the United States, June 16, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
