Lionel Messi delivered a record-equalling performance as Argentina began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a dominant win over Algeria, with the captain scoring a hat-trick in what was his 200th international appearance.

The 38-year-old forward moved level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, taking his tournament tally to 16 goals.

It was also Messi’s first-ever World Cup hat-trick, as reigning champions Argentina made a strong statement in their bid to retain the trophy. The victory marked a rare opening-match win for Argentina as defending champions, having previously lost their first games in 1982 and 1990.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, curling in a brilliant effort after linking up with Rodrigo De Paul to beat Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane. An earlier strike in the fourth minute had been disallowed.

He later doubled the lead in the 60th minute with a composed finish inside the box before completing his hat-trick in the 76th minute from the edge of the area. The Argentine captain was substituted in the 79th minute to a standing ovation.

The Inter Miami star also reached another milestone by featuring in his sixth World Cup tournament, a record later matched by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Earlier in the competition, Kylian Mbappé had briefly led the World Cup scoring charts before Messi’s latest brace restored parity at the top.

Elsewhere, Norway forward Erling Haaland also impressed on his World Cup debut, scoring twice in a 4–1 victory over Iraq in their Group I opener.

Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute, before Iraq equalised through Aymen Hussein. The striker restored Norway’s lead just before halftime after a defensive error, with Leo Østigård adding a third in the 76th minute.

An own goal from Hussein in stoppage time sealed the win, as Norway moved level on points with France at the top of Group I after the opening round of fixtures.