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Argentina has commenced their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign brilliantly, aiming to defend their title. The reigning world champions secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group ‘J’ match. Captain Lionel Messi was the star of the match, adding a new chapter to history by scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick.
In the match held in Kansas City, Argentina played an attacking brand of football from the outset. Although an early goal by Messi was disallowed for offside, the Albiceleste did not have to wait long.
In the 16th minute of the match, Messi put his team ahead with a brilliant shot from outside the box, latching onto a pass from Rodrigo De Paul. Despite Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane getting a touch on the ball, he could not prevent it from finding the back of the net.
Leading by a solitary goal in the first half, Argentina became even more aggressive in the second. Messi doubled the lead in the 62nd minute, breaking through the opposition’s defense with a rapid attack and finishing clinically for his second goal.
The Argentine captain completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute of the match. Following excellent passing exchanges among his teammates, the 38-year-old superstar found the back of the net with a powerful shot from inside the box, securing his first-ever World Cup career hat-trick.